Greek word · G5535

χρῄζω

chrēzō

to need

To need, to have need of, to lack (BDAG). It takes its object in the genitive case. The related noun chreia, 'need, necessity', is common in the papyri for real wants.

Appears 5 times in 5 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

χρῄζω

(χρή) [in LXX Judges 11:7, 1 Samuel 17:18 A * ;]

to need, have need of: with genitive of thing(s), Matthew 6:32, Luke 11:8 12:30, 2 Corinthians 3:1; with genitive of person(s) before ἐν, Romans 16:2.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Matthew 6:32

Range of meaning

To need, to have need of, to lack (BDAG). It takes its object in the genitive case. The related noun chreia, 'need, necessity', is common in the papyri for real wants.

Against the English

KJV 'have need of'; most others 'need'. This is accurate.

Used elsewhere in the period

Luke 11:8 (give him as much as he needs); Luke 12:30 (the parallel); Rom 16:2; 2 Cor 3:1.

From the study of Luke 11:8

Range of meaning

To need, have need of, lack.

Against the English

'As much as he needs' is accurate. 'As many as' (KJV, YLT) keeps the plural, which refers to the loaves.

Used elsewhere in the period

Luke's only other use of the verb is 12:30: 'your Father knows that you need these things.'

From the study of Luke 12:30

Range of meaning

To need, have need of, lack. It takes its object in the genitive (BDAG). It refers to real necessity, not to wants or wishes.

Against the English

'Have need of' (KJV, WEB, YLT) or 'need' (BSB and most modern versions). NLT has 'your needs'. All are accurate.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the New Testament it occurs here, in Matthew 6:32, in Luke 11:8 (the friend at midnight gives 'whatever he needs'), in Romans 16:2 and in 2 Corinthians 3:1. It also occurs in the Septuagint and in ordinary Greek of the period.

Where it appears

Matthew · 1

  1. Matthew 6:32 χρῄζετε you need

    For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

    Here: To lack something and require it. Jesus does not deny the need. He says it is real, and that it is known.

Luke · 2

  1. Luke 11:8 χρῄζει. he needs.

    I tell you, even though he will not get up to provide for him because of his friendship, yet because of the man’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

    Here: The measure is real need, which here means enough to feed the guest properly. That leads on to 'your Father knows what you need' (Luke 12:30, same verb).

  2. Luke 12:30 χρῄζετε you have need

    For the Gentiles of the world strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.

    Here: To be in genuine need of something. Jesus does not deny the need. Food and clothing are real necessities, and the Father counts them as such.

Romans · 1

  1. Romans 16:2 χρῄζῃ she may need

    Welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her with anything she may need from you. For she has been a great help to many people, including me.

    Here: Present subjunctive: whatever she may come to need, whenever it comes up during her stay.

2 Corinthians · 1

  1. 2 Corinthians 3:1 χρῄζομεν we need

    Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you?

    Here: "Do we need?" It takes its object in the genitive ("of letters"). Paul is asking whether he is lacking something, and the implied answer is that he lacks nothing of the kind.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.