### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb εὐλογέω (eulogéō), Strong's `{{G2127}}`, is derived from the compound of εὖ (eu), meaning "well," and λόγος (logos), meaning "word" or "speech." Its literal sense is "to speak well of." This foundational meaning expands into several significant semantic ranges in the New Testament:
1. **To Praise or Commend:** Primarily, εὐλογέω signifies the act of speaking well of someone or something, often in the context of praising God. This involves extolling His character, works, and attributes.
2. **To Invoke Divine Favor (Bless):** This is perhaps the most common usage, where one pronounces or invokes divine favor, prosperity, or well-being upon another person, group, or object. It implies a wish or prayer for God's goodness to be bestowed.
3. **To Give Thanks to God:** In certain contexts, particularly concerning meals, εὐλογέω is used to express gratitude or thankfulness to God for His provision. It often overlaps with εὐχαριστέω (eucharisteō) `{{G2168}}` in this sense.
4. **To Consecrate or Set Apart:** By extension, to bless something can mean to set it apart for sacred use or to imbue it with divine significance, as seen in the blessing of bread and wine.
5. **To Be Blessed (Passive Voice):** When used in the passive voice (εὐλογημένος), it describes the state of being the recipient of divine favor or blessing, indicating one who is divinely favored or prospered.
The term carries a rich theological heritage, deeply rooted in the Hebrew concept of בָּרַךְ (barak) `{{H1288}}`, which the Septuagint frequently translates with εὐλογέω.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
εὐλογέω appears numerous times in the New Testament, revealing its multifaceted usage:
* **Praising God:** This is evident when people praise God for His mighty acts. For example, after Zechariah's tongue is loosed, he immediately begins to εὐλογέω God ([[Luke 1:64]]). Similarly, the disciples are described as continually in the temple, εὐλογέω God ([[Luke 24:53]]). Simeon also εὐλογέω God upon seeing the infant Jesus ([[Luke 2:28]]).
* **Giving Thanks for Food:** Jesus frequently εὐλογέω the bread and fish before distributing them, signifying an act of thanksgiving and consecration ([[Matthew 14:19]], [[Matthew 26:26]], [[Mark 8:7]], [[Luke 9:16]]). This practice forms the basis for the Christian tradition of offering grace before meals.
* **God Blessing Humanity/Creation:** God is the ultimate source of blessing. In [[Acts 3:26]], Peter states that God raised up Jesus to εὐλογέω people by turning them from wickedness. Paul speaks of God εὐλογέω us with every spiritual blessing in Christ ([[Ephesians 1:3]]), highlighting the divine initiative in bestowing grace and favor.
* **People Blessing Others:**
* Jesus εὐλογέω children, laying His hands on them ([[Mark 10:16]]), demonstrating His compassion and the imparting of divine favor.
* In the Old Testament context referenced in the New, Melchizedek εὐλογέω Abraham ([[Hebrews 7:1]]), and Isaac εὐλογέω Jacob and Esau ([[Hebrews 11:20]]), illustrating the practice of patriarchal blessing and the passing on of spiritual inheritance.
* Believers are commanded to εὐλογέω those who persecute them, reflecting Christ-like behavior ([[Romans 12:14]], [[1 Corinthians 4:12]]). This is a radical call to respond to ill-treatment with good wishes and prayers for divine favor.
* **Being Blessed (Passive):** The passive participle εὐλογημένος often describes someone who is blessed by God or is the object of praise. For instance, Mary is called εὐλογημένη among women ([[Luke 1:42]]), and Jesus is hailed as εὐλογημένος who comes in the name of the Lord ([[Matthew 21:9]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of εὐλογέω is enriched by its relationship with several other key terms:
* **εὐλογία (eulogia) `{{G2129}}`:** This is the noun form, meaning "blessing," "praise," or "benediction." It refers to the act of blessing or the benefit received from a blessing.
* **εὐχαριστέω (eucharisteō) `{{G2168}}`:** Meaning "to give thanks," this verb often appears alongside or interchangeably with εὐλογέω in contexts of giving thanks for food or in liturgical settings. While εὐλογέω emphasizes speaking well of or invoking blessing, εὐχαριστέω focuses specifically on expressing gratitude.
* **μακάριος (makarios) `{{G3107}}`:** This adjective means "blessed" or "happy" and describes the state of blessedness, particularly in the Beatitudes ([[Matthew 5:3-11]]). While εὐλογέω is the *act* of blessing, μακάριος describes the *condition* of being blessed.
* **καταράομαι (kataráomai) `{{G2672}}`:** This is the direct antonym, meaning "to curse." The New Testament often contrasts blessing with cursing, particularly in ethical admonitions ([[Romans 12:14]]).
* **בָּרַךְ (barak) `{{H1288}}`:** The primary Hebrew equivalent in the Old Testament, barak carries a similar semantic range, encompassing kneeling, praising, and invoking divine favor. The Septuagint's consistent translation of barak as εὐλογέω highlights the continuity of this concept from the Old Covenant to the New.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of εὐλογέω is profound and multifaceted:
* **Divine Initiative and Sovereignty:** The concept of blessing fundamentally originates with God. He is the ultimate source of all true blessing, bestowing favor, life, and prosperity. Human blessing is always a derivative act, either in response to God's blessing or as an invocation of His blessing. This underscores God's benevolent sovereignty over creation and humanity.
* **Covenantal Faithfulness:** Blessing is deeply intertwined with God's covenant promises, particularly the Abrahamic covenant, where God promises to bless Abraham and, through him, all the families of the earth ([[Genesis 12:3]]). In Christ, these blessings are fulfilled and extended to all who believe ([[Galatians 3:8-9]]).
* **Worship and Thanksgiving:** Human response to God's blessing is often expressed through εὐλογέω in the sense of praise and thanksgiving. This highlights the reciprocal nature of the divine-human relationship: God blesses, and humanity responds with grateful praise. This is central to Christian worship.
* **Christological Centrality:** Jesus Christ is the embodiment of God's blessing and the mediator through whom all spiritual blessings flow. His life, ministry, death, and resurrection are the ultimate expressions of God's εὐλογέω upon humanity. His acts of blessing (children, food, disciples) demonstrate His divine authority and compassionate nature.
* **Ethical Imperative:** The command to εὐλογέω those who persecute us ([[Romans 12:14]]) is a radical ethical teaching that reflects the very character of God, who causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good ([[Matthew 5:45]]). It calls believers to transcend natural human responses and embody divine love and grace.
* **Eschatological Hope:** Ultimate blessing is found in the Kingdom of God. The promise of being "blessed of my Father" and inheriting the Kingdom ([[Matthew 25:34]]) points to the consummation of God's redemptive plan and the eternal state of divine favor.
### Summary
εὐλογέω (eulogéō), Strong's `{{G2127}}`, is a rich and dynamic term in the New Testament, encompassing the actions of speaking well of, praising, invoking divine favor, and giving thanks. Rooted in the concept of God as the ultimate source of all good, it describes both God's gracious bestowal of blessings upon humanity and creation, and humanity's reciprocal response of praise and gratitude to God.
The word underscores the covenantal faithfulness of God, the Christological fulfillment of divine blessing, and the ethical imperative for believers to extend blessing even to their adversaries. From the simple act of giving thanks for food to the profound declaration of divine favor, εὐλογέω illuminates the core of the divine-human relationship, characterized by God's benevolent initiative and humanity's grateful and obedient response. It is a foundational concept for understanding Christian worship, ethics, and eschatological hope.
TRV