βεβαιόω (G950) — Greek Lexicon

βεβαιόω

bebaióō

G950 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To make firm or secure; to confirm, establish, or guarantee something so that it is steadfast or reliable. Frequently used in the sense of strengthening or assuring the validity of a promise, word, or relationship. In various contexts, it refers to making something certain or settled, to provide assurance, or to render unchanging.

Semantic Range

to make firm, to confirm, to guarantee, to establish, to render unwavering, to assure the validity

Root / Etymology

From the adjective βέβαιος (firm, steady, secure), formed by the verbal suffix -όω indicating causation or action; thus, 'to cause to be firm'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, βεβαιόω commonly referred to rendering something legally or practically certain, such as confirming agreements, treaties, or statements. The Septuagint employs the term to indicate the confirmation or affirmation of divine promises (e.g., Genesis 6:18, establishing a covenant), as well as legal agreements. In the New Testament and early Christian writings, it is frequently used of establishing or confirming believers, faith, or the reliability of God's promises (e.g., 2 Corinthians 1:21, Hebrews 2:3). Greek outside biblical literature uses the verb in civic, legal, and rhetorical contexts. English translations often render it as "confirm" or "establish," but sometimes do not capture the connotation of making something unwavering or guaranteed. Distinguished from στηρίζω ('to support, make firm'), which focuses more on strengthening or upholding rather than legal or declarative confirmation.

Translation Consistency

primary "confirm" 4 occurrences

“Confirm” is the common, natural English rendering of βεβαιόω in major lexicons and translations (BDAG, KJV, NIV, etc.) and captures the SILEX range — to make firm, establish, assure, or guarantee. It fits typical contexts (confirm promises, establish a position, make something certain) and will provide consistent, idiomatic English across all forms.

Alternatives (4 occurrences):

"establishing" (1x) "making firm" (1x) "made firm" (1x) "established" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from βέβαιος; to stabilitate (figuratively):--confirm, (e-)stablish.

Root Family

βεβαιόω (bebaioō) — to make firm, to confirm, to establish, to guarantee

Root βεβαι- to make firm, to confirm, to establish, to guarantee

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
G951	βεβαίωσις	will make firm

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G950-07`	ἐβεβαιώθη	ebebaiothe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	was confirmed	was made firm	was confirmed	2
`G950-02`	βεβαιῶσαι	bebaiosai	`V AOR ACT INF`	confirm	to make firm	confirm	1
`G950-03`	βεβαιώσει	bebaiosei	`V FUT ACT IND 3P SG`	will confirm	will make firm	will confirm	1
`G950-05`	βεβαιοῦντος	bebaiountos	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG`	confirming	of the one establishing	of the one establishing	1
`G950-01`	βεβαιῶν	bebaion	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	establishes	making firm	making firm	1
`G950-06`	βεβαιοῦσθαι	bebaiousthai	`V PRS PASS INF`	to be established	to be made firm	to be established	1
`G950-04`	βεβαιούμενοι	bebaioumenoi	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL`	being established	being made firm	being made firm	1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G950-05`	Mark 16:20	βεβαιοῦντος	bebaiountos	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG`	confirming	of the one establishing	of the one establishing
`G950-02`	Romans 15:8	βεβαιῶσαι	bebaiosai	`V AOR ACT INF`	confirm	to make firm	confirm
`G950-07`	1 Corinthians 1:6	ἐβεβαιώθη	ebebaiothe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	was confirmed	was made firm	was confirmed
`G950-03`	1 Corinthians 1:8	βεβαιώσει	bebaiosei	`V FUT ACT IND 3P SG`	will confirm	will make firm	will confirm
`G950-01`	2 Corinthians 1:21	βεβαιῶν	bebaion	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	establishes	making firm	making firm
`G950-04`	Colossians 2:7	βεβαιούμενοι	bebaioumenoi	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL`	being established	being made firm	being made firm
`G950-07`	Hebrews 2:3	ἐβεβαιώθη	ebebaiothe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	was confirmed	was made firm	was confirmed
`G950-06`	Hebrews 13:9	βεβαιοῦσθαι	bebaiousthai	`V PRS PASS INF`	to be established	to be made firm	to be established

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