τελεσφορέω
telesphoréō
G5052 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To bring something to its full end or maturity; specifically, to cause fruit to ripen or reach its appointed completion. In extended or figurative senses, to bring a process to its intended outcome, to mature, or to achieve its goal. The focus is on effecting a natural or prescribed conclusion, especially as this relates to growth or development.
Semantic Range
to cause fruit to ripen, to bring to maturity or full growth (literal); to bring a process or person to maturity or fulfillment (figurative); to reach perfection, to effect the proper result
Root / Etymology
Formed from τέλος ('end, goal, completion') and φέρω ('to bear, carry'), thus literally 'to bear to completion.' The construction follows a common Greek pattern of compounding a noun indicating result with a verb of action.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, τελεσφορέω is rare but appears in botanical and agricultural contexts, describing crops or fruit reaching ripeness or bearing to full maturity. In Koine literature, it can also take on metaphorical or ethical senses—an individual, act, or process coming to maturity or fulfillment. In the Septuagint or New Testament, usage is limited and most often figurative, describing spiritual or moral maturity (e.g., see parallels in Hebrews 6:1). The word does not carry a specifically religious sense but often gains metaphorical richness from context. English translations sometimes render it as 'bring to perfection' or 'bring to maturity,' which can obscure the underlying imagery of natural growth and fulfillment present in the original Greek. Contrasts with ἀτελής ('incomplete, immature'), and is conceptually related to the broader root of τέλος and related verbs such as τελειόω ('to perfect, make complete').
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from a compound of τέλος and φέρω; to be a bearer to completion (maturity), i.e. to ripen fruit (figuratively):--bring fruit to perfection.
Root Family
τελεσφορέω (telesphoreō) — to bring to completion, to bear to maturity, to ripen
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5052-01 |
τελεσφοροῦσιν | telesphorousin | V PRS ACT IND 3P PL |
yield fruit | they bring to maturity | they bring to maturity | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5052-01 |
Luke 8:14 | τελεσφοροῦσιν | telesphorousin | V PRS ACT IND 3P PL |
yield fruit | they bring to maturity | they bring to maturity |