μνηστεύω
mnēsteúō
G3423 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To enter into a formal agreement of betrothal; to promise in marriage, to become legally engaged. In Greek usage, μνηστεύω refers to the action of arranging or contracting a pledged marital union prior to the consummation of marriage. In contexts involving first-century Judean custom, this phase established legal rights and obligations similar to marriage, but did not include cohabitation or sexual union until the subsequent marriage ceremony.
Semantic Range
to betroth, to become engaged or espoused, to arrange or contract a formal marriage agreement; in some legal or contractual contexts, to pledge in marriage
Root / Etymology
From the verb μνάομαι (to remember, to mention), through the derivative μνηστήρ (suitor, wooer, one who seeks marriage). The verb form μνηστεύω reflects the act of becoming or making a suitor, then to betroth. The root idea is connected to remembering or making mention, later transferred to the formal act of proposing or committing to marriage.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical and Hellenistic Greek, μνηστεύω signifies the formal process of betrothal—a binding pledge of marriage, often involving negotiations between families and witnessed arrangements, distinct from mere informal engagement. In Judean and broader Eastern Mediterranean contexts reflected in the Septuagint and New Testament, betrothal (μνηστεία) was a legally recognized transaction: dissolving such a pact required a formal divorce, and the relationship carried certain obligations and rights as if married, while sexual union awaited the consummation of marriage proper (see e.g., Matthew 1:18-20; Luke 1:27). English translations often render μνηστεύω as 'espouse' or 'betroth,' but 'espouse' in older English captures the historical sense of legal engagement rather than completed marriage; the modern term 'engage' does not carry the same contractual or binding implications. The underlying social realities of marriage arrangements in the Second Temple and early Roman period differed from contemporary Western practice, with betrothal being a critical legal step. Related terms: ἀρραβών (earnest, pledge), γαμέω (to marry).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from a derivative of μνάομαι; to give a souvenir (engagement present), i.e. betroth:--espouse.
Root Family
μνηστεύω (mnēsteuō) — to pledge, to betroth, to arrange marriage
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3423-01 |
ἐμνηστευμένῃ | emnesteumene | V PRF PASS PTCP DAT F SG |
espoused | to a woman having been betrothed | betrothed woman | 1 |
G3423-03 |
μνηστευθείσης | mnesteutheises | V AOR PASS PTCP GEN F SG |
having been betrothed | having been betrothed | having been betrothed | 1 |
G3423-02 |
ἐμνηστευμένην | emnesteumenen | V PRF PASS PTCP ACC F SG |
betrothed | having been betrothed (feminine singular accusative) | having been betrothed | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3423-03 |
Matthew 1:18 | μνηστευθείσης | mnesteutheises | V AOR PASS PTCP GEN F SG |
having been betrothed | having been betrothed | having been betrothed |
G3423-02 |
Luke 1:27 | ἐμνηστευμένην | emnesteumenen | V PRF PASS PTCP ACC F SG |
betrothed | having been betrothed (feminine singular accusative) | having been betrothed |
G3423-01 |
Luke 2:5 | ἐμνηστευμένῃ | emnesteumene | V PRF PASS PTCP DAT F SG |
espoused | to a woman having been betrothed | betrothed woman |