← G3781 G3783 →

ὀφειλή

opheilḗ

G3782 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A state of owing or the condition of being indebted; an obligation or something owed to another, primarily referring to financial debt but also extending to moral or social obligation in certain contexts. In some cases, especially metaphorically, it refers specifically to a duty or responsibility, such as a conjugal or reciprocal duty.

Semantic Range

debt, indebtedness, sum owed, obligation, duty, moral responsibility, conjugal duty

Root / Etymology

From the verb ὀφείλω, meaning 'to owe' or 'to be under obligation.' ὀφειλή is the noun form denoting the result or state of owing. Root ultimately connected with words denoting moral or legal necessity.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ὀφειλή is rare, with the verb ὀφείλω being far more common for expressing obligations or debts. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, especially in the context of financial transactions or legal language, ὀφειλή becomes a noun indicating what is owed. In the New Testament (e.g., Rom 13:7-8), ὀφειλή denotes debts—usually financial obligations—but can extend to moral and relational obligations (e.g., conjugal duties in 1 Cor 7:3, though this uses the related ὀφειλήν). The semantic range allows both literal (monetary debt) and figurative senses (responsibility, obligation). English translations usually render it as 'debt' or 'obligation,' but sometimes miss the broader Greek sense that includes social and ethical duty. Distinct from χρέος, which is more technical and narrowly financial; ὀφειλή may overlap in legal contexts but supports a broader figurative usage. No evidence suggests a significant shift in meaning from Second Temple to NT usage, but context determines whether the sense is concrete (financial) or generalized (obligation).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ὀφείλω; indebtedness, i.e. (concretely) a sum owed; figuratively, obligation, i.e. (conjugal) duty:--debt, due.

Root Family

ὀφειλή (opheilē) — debt, indebtedness, obligation, duty

Root ὀφειλ- to owe, to be under obligation

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3782-02 ὀφειλὴν opheilen N ACC F SG debt he/she was owing debt 2
G3782-01 ὀφειλάς opheilas N ACC F PL dues debts debts 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3782-02 Matthew 18:32 ὀφειλὴν opheilen N ACC F SG debt he/she was owing debt
G3782-01 Romans 13:7 ὀφειλάς opheilas N ACC F PL dues debts debts
G3782-02 1 Corinthians 7:3 ὀφειλὴν opheilen N ACC F SG duty he/she was owing duty
← G3781 Greek Lexicon G3783 →