English · KJV
G2116

εὐθύνω

euthýnō /yoo-thoo'-no/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom εὐθύς
Meaningto straighten (level); technically, to steer
KJV usagegovernor, make straight.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of euthýnō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word euthýnō, represented by G2116, carries a dual meaning of both straightening a path and steering a vessel. It appears 2 times in 2 unique verses in the Bible. Based on its root, its definition is to straighten or level, but it is also used technically to mean steering, as in the role of a governor of a ship.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical applications, G2116 is used in two distinct contexts. In the Gospel of John, it conveys the idea of preparation, where John the Baptist fulfills the words of the prophet Esaias to "make straight the way of the Lord" John 1:23. In the Epistle of James, the word takes on a technical, nautical meaning, translated as governor, referring to the one who steers a ship with a helm James 3:4.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of G2116:

  • G3598 hodós (a road; by implication, a progress... a mode or means): This is the object acted upon in John's gospel, where the command is to make straight "the way of the Lord" John 1:23, emphasizing the creation of a direct path.
  • G4079 pēdálion (helm): This word for rudder is the instrument of control in James's analogy, a "very small helm" used to direct a large ship James 3:4.
  • G3329 metágō (to lead over, i.e. transfer (direct)): This verb describes the effect of the governor's action, as ships "are turned about" by the helm, illustrating the power of direct guidance James 3:4.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G2116 lies in its metaphorical applications of direction and control.

  • Prophetic Preparation: The call to "make straight the way of the Lord" John 1:23 is a powerful metaphor for spiritual readiness. It signifies the removal of moral and spiritual obstacles in preparation for the coming of Christ, fulfilling the words of the prophet G4396 Esaias.
  • Principle of Guidance: The use of G2116 as a governor illustrates the immense impact of precise guidance. In James 3:4, the analogy shows how a large ship is directed by a small helm G4079, teaching that a small but deliberate force can control a much larger body or course of life.

Summary

In summary, G2116 provides a rich dual-image of purposeful direction. Whether it is leveling a way G3598 for the Lord's arrival or acting as the governor who steers a ship, the word consistently points to the concept of deliberate guidance toward a specific end. It demonstrates how scripture uses both earthly preparation and nautical control to illustrate the spiritual principles of readiness and guidance.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Aorist Active Imperative 2nd Plural 1×
  • Present Active Participle Genitive Singular Masculine 1×
Genitive
Possession or source — often "of".
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G3598 ὁδός apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress (the route, act or distance); figuratively, a mode or mean G4079 πηδάλιον neuter of a (presumed) derivative of (the blade of an oar; from the same as πέδη); a "pedal", i.e. helm:--rudder. G3329 μετάγω from μετά and ἁρμόζω; to lead over, i.e. transfer (direct):--turn about. G4396 προφήτης from a compound of πρό and φημί; a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet:--proph

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 2 verses across 2 of the 27 books. Most frequent in John and James (1 verse each); never once in the other 25.

1
John
1
James

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.