πραγματεύομαι
pragmateúomai
G4231 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To engage in activity involving business, trade, or the management of affairs; to conduct or carry on trade or business. The term extends to the sense of being busy or occupied with something, especially in relation to commerce or the productive management of entrusted resources. In certain contexts (notably in the parable in Luke 19:13), it refers specifically to the act of trading or engaging in business while entrusted with something of value.
Semantic Range
to engage in business, to trade, to do business, to be busy with affairs, to manage (resources), to occupy oneself (with something), to transact, to conduct affairs
Root / Etymology
From the noun πρᾶγμα (prâgma, 'thing done, deed, matter, business, affair'), itself from the root πράσσω (prassō, 'to do, to accomplish'). The verb πραγματεύομαι is a denominative verb formed with the middle/passive ending -εύομαι, indicating active engagement or occupation with the business or matter.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, πραγματεύομαι is used for taking part in business, engaging in trade, or managing affairs; it can also signify busying oneself with political or theoretical matters, depending on the context. The term retains its commercial and active managerial connotations in Hellenistic and Koine Greek. In the New Testament (Luke 19:13), it is used in the context of a parable about servants being entrusted with resources and commanded to 'do business' or 'trade' until their master's return, focusing on productive engagement rather than mere passive possession. Standard English translations ('occupy,' 'do business,' 'trade') usually render only the active commercial sense, but may miss the breadth of the term which includes managing, administering, and diligently engaging with affairs, whether commercial, practical, or abstract.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from πρᾶγμα; to busy oneself with, i.e. to trade:--occupy.
Root Family
πραγματεύομαι (pragmateuomai) — to do, to act, to manage, to conduct business
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4231-01 |
πραγματεύσασθαι | pragmateusasthai | V AOR MID INF |
Do business | to engage in trade for oneself | to engage in trade for oneself | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4231-01 |
Luke 19:13 | πραγματεύσασθαι | pragmateusasthai | V AOR MID INF |
Do business | to engage in trade for oneself | to engage in trade for oneself |