σθενόω

ἐνδυναμόω endynamóō · G1743 · to make someone able, to give capability to, to enable

A distinct Greek verb meaning 'to empower' or 'to make strong,' used by Paul for spiritual strengthening (e.g., Phil 4:13, 1 Tim 1:12, 2 Tim 4:17). While not cognate to σθενόω, it serves as a functional synonym in contexts of spiritual empowerment.

κραταιόω krataióō · G2901 · to become strong, to become powerful

κραταιόω (krataióō, G2901) is a Greek verb meaning to strengthen or make strong, used in the New Testament for both physical and spiritual strengthening (for example Luke 1:80, Luke 2:40 and Ephesians 3:16). It overlaps with σθενόω in the sense of strengthening, though perhaps more concretely than the figurative emphasis of σθενόω.

στηρίζω stērízō · G4741 · to strengthen, to make more firm, to cause to be fixed

A common Greek verb meaning 'to establish' or 'to confirm,' frequently used for spiritual strengthening and confirmation (e.g., Luke 22:32, Rom 1:11, 1 Thess 3:2, 2 Thess 2:17). Closely parallel to σθενόω's figurative sense of confirming in spiritual knowledge and power.

חָזַק châzaq · H2388 · to be strong, to prevail, to overcome

The standard Hebrew verb for 'to strengthen' or 'to make strong,' a direct translation equivalent used throughout the OT for physical, moral, and spiritual strengthening (e.g., Deut 3:28, Isa 35:3). This is the natural Hebrew counterpart to the Greek σθενόω.

אָמַץ ʼâmats · H553 · to be strong, to be powerful, to prevail

Another common Hebrew verb meaning 'to strengthen' or 'to confirm,' often used in contexts of spiritual or moral fortification (e.g., Deut 31:6, Isa 41:10). Closely parallel in meaning to σθενόω's figurative sense of confirmation in spiritual power.

To make more able, to strengthen74.14

The verb describes God's own act of empowering believers after suffering. Peter prays, “the God of all grace... will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you” (1 Peter 5:10).

Words formed from the same root. They share a form, not always a meaning.

Also from the root σθενόω

Meanings adapted from the UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament, © United Bible Societies, CC BY-SA 4.0 and the UBS Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew (from the Semantic Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew), © United Bible Societies, CC BY-SA 4.0; MACULA Greek Linguistic Datasets, available at https://github.com/Clear-Bible/macula-greek/, licensed CC BY 4.0; MACULA Hebrew Linguistic Datasets © 2022-2024 by Biblica, Inc., CC BY 4.0. Westminster Leningrad Codex (tanach.us). OpenScriptures Hebrew Bible morphology (hb.openscriptures.org), CC BY 4.0.