χρονίζω (G5549) — Greek Lexicon

χρονίζω

chronízō

G5549 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To take a considerable amount of time, to linger, to remain or stay longer than expected. In the Koine context, chronízō primarily refers to the act of delaying, tarrying, or being slow in action, often with the nuance of an expected event not occurring promptly. Used both of people and, metaphorically, of events or outcomes that do not happen as soon as anticipated.

Semantic Range

to delay, to linger, to tarry, to spend time, to take a long time, to be late

Root / Etymology

Derived from χρόνος (chronos, 'time') with the verb-forming suffix -ίζω, indicating action relating to time. Etymology is transparent: 'to behave with respect to time,' hence, 'to delay.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, χρονίζω is rare but means 'to spend time' or 'to take long.' By the Hellenistic and Koine periods, especially in the New Testament and contemporary literature, it commonly means 'to delay' or 'to tarry.' In narrative contexts (e.g., parables in the Gospels), it describes someone or something whose coming is expected but postponed. The focus is not merely on passage of time but on the effect of the delay—waiting or anticipating something overdue. Standard English translations like 'delay' or 'tarry' somewhat capture this, but the sense of expectation or suspense is often contextually significant. There is no significant theological nuance; it is a neutral temporal term.

Translation Consistency

primary "delay" 5 occurrences

'Delay' best captures the typical Koine sense in the SILEX entry—taking longer than expected, tarrying, or being slow to occur. It matches the majority of existing renderings ('delaying') while sounding natural in modern English (unlike the more archaic 'tarry') and covers both intransitive and transitive uses in context.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from χρόνος; to take time, i.e. linger:--delay, tarry.

Root Family

χρονίζω (chronizō) — time, to take time, delay, linger

Root χρον- time, to take time

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G5549-02`	χρονίζει	chronizei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	delays	is delaying	is delaying	2
`G5549-04`	χρονίζοντος	chronizontos	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG`	was delaying	of the one delaying	of the one delaying	1
`G5549-03`	χρονίζειν	chronizein	`V PRS ACT INF`	his delay	to delay	delaying	1
`G5549-01`	χρονίσει	chronisei	`V FUT ACT IND 3P SG`	delay	will delay	will delay	1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G5549-02`	Matthew 24:48	χρονίζει	chronizei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	delays	is delaying	is delaying
`G5549-04`	Matthew 25:5	χρονίζοντος	chronizontos	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG`	was delaying	of the one delaying	of the one delaying
`G5549-03`	Luke 1:21	χρονίζειν	chronizein	`V PRS ACT INF`	his delay	to delay	delaying
`G5549-02`	Luke 12:45	χρονίζει	chronizei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	delays	is delaying	is delaying
`G5549-01`	Hebrews 10:37	χρονίσει	chronisei	`V FUT ACT IND 3P SG`	delay	will delay	will delay

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