ἁρμόζω (harmozō)
harmozō
to betroth
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb harmozō carries the concrete sense of fitting or joining parts together, much like a carpenter aligning beams and planks to build a structure. In its active form, it describes the act of making things match or fit precisely. This physical imagery provides a clear foundation for its more relational uses in Scripture.
When applied to marriage, the word takes on a specific legal and social weight. It means to betroth someone, effectively joining them in a formal commitment before the wedding day. The middle voice of the verb adds a layer of personal interest: a father might "join" his daughter to a husband by giving her in marriage, or a man might "join himself" to a wife by taking her as his own.
Its most notable appearance is in 2 Corinthians 11:2, where Paul uses this precise language to describe his relationship with the Corinthian church. He speaks of betrothing them to one husband, Christ. Here, the idea of fitting together becomes a spiritual metaphor for exclusive devotion and alignment with Jesus, highlighting the seriousness of the covenant bond.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word harmozō paints a picture of things being fitted together with precision, like timber joined to form a sturdy house. In the ancient world, betrothal was not merely a romantic engagement but a binding legal covenant that set two lives in alignment before God. This imagery reminds us that our connection to Jesus is intentional and structured, designed to fit perfectly into His purpose.
Paul uses this concept in 2 Corinthians 11:2 to describe his care for the believers. He speaks of having promised them to one husband so they might be presented as a pure virgin to Christ. This suggests that our faith involves a deep, exclusive loyalty that shapes how we live every day.
When we consider this covenantal bond, it invites us to examine where our hearts are aligned. Are we fitting ourselves into the design Christ has for us? This word encourages a life of faithful devotion, knowing that we are being prepared for something eternal and beautiful.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- I have betrothed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἡρμοσάμην1×
Key Verses
-
II Corinthians 11:2
For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you in marriage to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
Paul uses this term to describe his spiritual role in preparing the Corinthian church for an exclusive covenant relationship with Jesus.