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πληρόω

plēróō

G4137 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To make full, to fill up, or cause to abound; to complete something so that nothing is lacking. In extended senses: (1) to fill a container or space; (2) to complete a required time or task; (3) to fulfill or bring to realization (an obligation, requirement, word, or prophecy); (4) to bring to full measure or maturity (of character, knowledge, etc.); (5) to carry out or accomplish fully (assigned duties, command, or role). Thus, depending on context, πληρόω can mean to physically fill, to bring to a state of completeness, or to fulfill in the sense of carrying out what was previously planned or foretold.

Semantic Range

to fill (a vessel, space, or person), to complete (a period, action, or task), to fulfill (prophecy, promise, requirement), to bring to full quantity or maturity, to execute or perform fully, to supply abundantly

Root / Etymology

From the root πληρ-, meaning 'full', related to the adjective πλήρης ('full, filled, complete') and the verb stems that pertain to fullness or completion.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, πληρόω primarily denoted the act of filling a physical container or space. By the Hellenistic and Koine periods, its range broadened figuratively to include fulfilling time, obligations, or prophecies. In the Septuagint, πληρόω is often used for Hebrew verbs meaning 'to fill' or 'to fulfill', especially of words, promises, or days (e.g., Genesis 29:21 'When her days were fulfilled'). In the New Testament, the word acquires further nuance: (1) to fulfill Scripture or prophecy (e.g., Matthew 5:17, 'to fulfill the Law'); (2) to fulfill or bring to completion a period (e.g., 'when the days were fully come'); (3) to fill with content or quality (e.g., 'filled with the Spirit'); (4) to carry out or complete an assignment (e.g., 'fulfill your ministry'). English translations often render πληρόω as 'fill', 'fulfill', 'complete', but may not distinguish between the physical and metaphorical senses. The semantic overlap with ἐκπληρόω (to fulfill fully) highlights πληρόω's emphasis on bringing something to its intended goal or measure. In Second Temple and later Christian literature, the idea of 'fulfilling' prophecy, command, or calling becomes a dominant sense.

Translation Consistency

primary "fulfill" 52 occurrences

In the New Testament this lemma most often carries the sense of bringing something to completion or carrying out what was required or promised (e.g., fulfilling prophecy, completing a time or task). “Fulfill” is natural English for those primary senses while still extending to 'complete' or 'bring to full measure.' Alternate physical senses (to fill a container) are rarer and can be handled as exceptions, but using “fulfill” gives the most consistent, readable rendering across the typical uses of πληρόω.

Alternatives (35 occurrences):
"made full" (10x) "filled" (9x) "having been made full" (4x) "fill up" (2x) "having been filled" (2x) "completed" (1x) "fill" (1x) "completing" (1x) "having been completed" (1x) "fully completed" (1x) "continually filled" (1x) "make full" (1x) "full" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from πλήρης; to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.:--accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.

Root Family

πληρόω (plēroō) — to fill, to make full, to complete

Root πληρ- to fill, to make full, to complete

Word Forms

36 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4137-24 πληρωθῇ plerothe V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG might be fulfilled may be made full may be fulfilled 20
G4137-03 ἐπληρώθη eplerothe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG was fulfilled was made full was fulfilled 7
G4137-16 πεπλήρωται peplerotai V PRF PASS IND 3P SG has been fulfilled has been made full has been fulfilled 5
G4137-32 πληρωθῶσιν plerothosin V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P PL might be fulfilled may be made full may be fulfilled 5
G4137-18 πληρῶσαι plerosai V AOR ACT INF to fulfill to make full to fulfill 4
G4137-02 ἐπλήρωσεν eplerosen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG fulfilled he made full he completed 4
G4137-12 πεπληρωμένη pepleromene V PRF PASS PTCP NOM F SG fulfilled having been made full having been fulfilled 3
G4137-14 πεπληρωμένοι pepleromenoi V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M PL filled having been made full having been made full 3
G4137-05 ἐπληροῦντο eplerounto V IMPF PASS IND 3P PL were filled they were being filled they were being filled 2
G4137-21 πληρώσῃ plerose V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG He might fill he may complete he may fulfill 2

Occurrences in Scripture

87 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4137-24 Matthew 1:22 πληρωθῇ plerothe V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG what was spoken may be made full may be fulfilled
G4137-24 Matthew 2:15 πληρωθῇ plerothe V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG it might be fulfilled may be made full may be fulfilled
G4137-03 Matthew 2:17 ἐπληρώθη eplerothe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG was fulfilled was made full was fulfilled
G4137-24 Matthew 2:23 πληρωθῇ plerothe V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG might be fulfilled may be made full may be fulfilled
G4137-18 Matthew 3:15 πληρῶσαι plerosai V AOR ACT INF to fulfill to make full to fulfill
G4137-24 Matthew 4:14 πληρωθῇ plerothe V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG it might be fulfilled may be made full may be fulfilled
G4137-18 Matthew 5:17 πληρῶσαι plerosai V AOR ACT INF to fulfill to make full to fulfill
G4137-24 Matthew 8:17 πληρωθῇ plerothe V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG it might be fulfilled may be made full may be fulfilled
G4137-24 Matthew 12:17 πληρωθῇ plerothe V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG might be fulfilled may be made full may be fulfilled
G4137-24 Matthew 13:35 πληρωθῇ plerothe V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG might be fulfilled may be made full may be fulfilled
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