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χαρίζομαι

charízomai

G5483 verb

SILEX Entry

Root χαρίζ- to show favor, to grant, to forgive, to bestow

Definition

To freely grant or bestow as a favor, especially as an act of kindness or goodwill; to show favor, to graciously remit an obligation (such as a debt or offense), to forgive. The primary meaning is to give or show favor, often in contexts where the action is undeserved or unearned. In legal or interpersonal relationships, it may denote the act of forgiving or remitting, especially offenses or debts, out of goodwill rather than obligation. The term can also extend to granting requests, releasing from captivity, or displaying magnanimity to others.

Semantic Range

to show or act out of favor, to grant as a favor, to graciously bestow or give, to forgive or remit (a debt, an offense), to pardon, to graciously deliver (from danger or bondage), to release from obligation

Root / Etymology

From χάρις (charis, meaning ‘grace, favor, goodwill’), with the verbal ending -ίζω/-ομαι forming a causative or middle voice verb. χάρις itself derives from a root meaning 'what delights or pleases.' The verb thus means to act out of grace or favor towards someone. No Semitic etymology.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, χαρίζομαι is attested as early as the fifth century BCE, typically meaning to act graciously toward someone, to do a favor, or to oblige willingly. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, especially as reflected in the Septuagint and New Testament, it often develops a specific sense of remitting a debt or forgiving a wrongdoing. In legal or social contexts, χαρίζομαι can involve the cancellation of financial obligations or freeing from imprisonment (e.g., Josephus). In the New Testament, χαρίζομαι most frequently denotes forgiveness—either of sins, trespasses, or debts—emphasizing the gratuitous and unmerited nature of the act, deriving from goodwill rather than obligation. Standard English translations often use 'forgive,' 'grant,' 'give freely,' or 'show favor,' but these may not fully capture the sense of graciousness and initiative on the part of the giver. Distinct from related verbs such as ἀφίημι, which also means 'to forgive' but with an emphasis on 'letting go' or 'releasing,' while χαρίζομαι emphasizes generosity or favor at the giver's discretion. In some contexts, χαρίζομαι may simply mean 'to grant (a request)' or 'to show consideration.'

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

middle voice from χάρις; to grant as a favor, i.e. gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue:--deliver, (frankly) forgive, (freely) give, grant.

Root Family

χαρίζομαι (charizomai) — to show favor, to grant, to forgive, to bestow

Word Forms

14 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G5483-11 ἐχαρίσατο echarisato V AOR MID IND 3P SG he forgave he graciously granted 6
G5483-02 χαρίσασθαι charisasthai V AOR MID INF to hand over to graciously grant 2
G5483-14 κεχάρισταί kecharistai V PRF MID IND 3P SG has granted has graciously granted 2
G5483-10 χαριζόμενοι charizomenoi V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL forgiving graciously granting for yourselves 2
G5483-13 κεχάρισμαι kecharismai V PRF MID IND 1P SG I have graciously granted 2
G5483-06 χαρισθέντα charisthenta V AOR PASS PTCP ACC N PL freely given having been graciously granted 1
G5483-08 χαρίζεσθαί charizesthai V PRS MID INF to deliver to graciously grant 1
G5483-04 χαρίσεται charisetai V FUT MID IND 3P SG will graciously grant 1
G5483-12 ἐχαρίσθη echaristhe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG it has been granted was graciously granted 1
G5483-05 χαρισθῆναι charisthenai V AOR PASS INF to be granted to be graciously granted 1

Occurrences in Scripture

23 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G5483-11 Luke 7:21 ἐχαρίσατο echarisato V AOR MID IND 3P SG he gave he graciously granted
G5483-11 Luke 7:42 ἐχαρίσατο echarisato V AOR MID IND 3P SG he forgave he graciously granted
G5483-11 Luke 7:43 ἐχαρίσατο echarisato V AOR MID IND 3P SG he forgave he graciously granted
G5483-05 Acts 3:14 χαρισθῆναι charisthenai V AOR PASS INF to be granted to be graciously granted
G5483-02 Acts 25:11 χαρίσασθαι charisasthai V AOR MID INF to hand over to graciously grant
G5483-08 Acts 25:16 χαρίζεσθαί charizesthai V PRS MID INF to deliver to graciously grant
G5483-14 Acts 27:24 κεχάρισταί kecharistai V PRF MID IND 3P SG has granted has graciously granted
G5483-04 Romans 8:32 χαρίσεται charisetai V FUT MID IND 3P SG will graciously grant
G5483-06 1 Corinthians 2:12 χαρισθέντα charisthenta V AOR PASS PTCP ACC N PL freely given having been graciously granted
G5483-02 2 Corinthians 2:7 χαρίσασθαι charisasthai V AOR MID INF to graciously grant
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