### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb G5531 (χράω, *chráō*) carries the primary meaning "to lend" or "to furnish a loan." Its etymological root is closely associated with G5530 (χράομαι, *chráomai*), which signifies "to use" or "to make use of." This connection is insightful: while χράομαι describes the act of utilization, χράω denotes the act of making something available for another's use, typically with the expectation of its return. It implies a temporary transfer of an item or resource, distinct from outright gifting. The semantic range is narrow, focused specifically on the act of lending.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb G5531 (χράω) appears only once in the New Testament, found in the Gospel of Luke:
* **[[Luke 11:5]]**: "And he said to them, 'Which of you, having a friend, will go to him at midnight and say to him, "Friend, lend (χράω) me three loaves;"'"
This solitary occurrence is within the Parable of the Friend at Midnight, where Jesus teaches His disciples about the nature of persistent prayer. The immediate context depicts an urgent need: an unexpected guest arrives, and the host lacks provisions. The request to "lend" (χράω) three loaves highlights the temporary nature of the requested aid and the expectation that the borrower would eventually be able to return or replace the item, though the parable does not explicitly state this. The emphasis is on the immediate, pressing necessity and the neighborly obligation to provide, even reluctantly, when asked persistently. The use of χράω here underscores a common human experience of mutual reliance and assistance within a community.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is G5530 (χράομαι, *chráomai*), from which G5531 (χράω) is likely derived or shares a common root. While χράομαι means "to use," χράω shifts the focus to the act of enabling another's use through a loan.
Other related concepts and contrasting terms include:
* G1390 (δανείζω, *daneizō*): This is a more common Greek verb for "to lend" or "to borrow" in the New Testament (e.g., [[Matthew 5:42]], [[Luke 6:34-35]]). δανείζω often carries a more formal connotation of a loan, sometimes with an implication of interest, whereas χράω in [[Luke 11:5]] appears to describe a more informal, neighborly transaction driven by immediate need.
* G1391 (δάνειον, *daneion*): "a loan" (noun).
* G1392 (δανειστής, *daneistēs*): "a lender, creditor."
* G1325 (δίδωμι, *didōmi*): "to give." This verb stands in contrast to χράω. To "give" implies a permanent transfer without expectation of return, whereas to "lend" (χράω) implies a temporary provision. The friend in the parable asks for a loan, not a gift, emphasizing the urgency and the temporary nature of the required aid.
### Theological Significance
Although G5531 (χράω) appears only once, its singular occurrence in [[Luke 11:5]] carries significant theological weight within the context of the Parable of the Friend at Midnight. The human act of lending, even if prompted by "shameless persistence," serves as an earthly analogy for God's divine generosity and responsiveness to prayer.
Jesus uses this relatable scenario to teach about:
1. **Divine Responsiveness**: If a reluctant human friend will "lend" due to persistence, how much more will God, the benevolent Father, "give" to those who persistently ask, seek, and knock? The parable elevates the human concept of lending out of necessity to the divine reality of abundant provision.
2. **The Nature of Prayer**: The request to "lend" highlights the earnestness and specific need that should characterize prayer. It is not a casual request but one born of genuine necessity, much like the host's need for bread.
3. **God as Provider**: While the word itself means "to lend," the parable's ultimate message is about God's willingness to "give" the Holy Spirit and good things to those who ask. The "lending" in the human realm becomes a metaphor for God's ultimate "giving" in the spiritual realm, demonstrating that God's provision far exceeds human generosity or even obligation.
Thus, χράω subtly underscores the principle of seeking and receiving from a divine source that is far more willing to provide than any human counterpart.
### Summary
The Greek word G5531 (χράω, *chráō*) means "to lend" or "to furnish a loan," emphasizing a temporary transfer of resources. Its sole New Testament occurrence is in [[Luke 11:5]], within the Parable of the Friend at Midnight, where a friend requests a loan of bread. This act of lending serves as a crucial element in Jesus' teaching on persistent prayer, illustrating that if a human friend will reluctantly "lend" due to persistence, God will assuredly "give" good gifts, including the Holy Spirit, to those who earnestly seek Him. Related to `{{G5530}}` (to use) and distinct from `{{G1390}}` (to lend formally) and `{{G1325}}` (to give), χράω highlights the concept of mutual aid and, by extension, God's gracious and responsive provision to His children.
TRV