δανείζω (daneizō)
daneizō
to lend/borrow
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb daneizō carries a dual meaning depending on its voice, covering both the act of lending and the act of borrowing. In the active voice, it specifically refers to lending money, often with an implication of interest or financial transaction. This usage appears in Luke 6:34–35, where Jesus instructs his followers to lend without expecting anything in return, highlighting a radical departure from standard economic practices.
When used in the middle voice, the word shifts to mean borrowing or taking a loan. Matthew 5:42 illustrates this sense, as Jesus commands believers not to refuse those who wish to borrow from them. This distinction allows the same root to describe both sides of a financial exchange, emphasizing the relational dynamics involved in giving and receiving resources.
Lexical sources note that daneizō is distinct from khrēmatizō, which implies lending in a friendly or informal manner without the formal connotations of debt. The presence of this term in the Septuagint for the Hebrew word lo’eh further grounds its meaning in the established tradition of borrowing and lending found in wisdom literature like Proverbs 19:17.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word daneizō captures a fundamental human experience: the exchange of resources between people. In its active form, it describes the act of lending, often involving interest or expectation of return. Yet Jesus radically redefines this in Luke 6:35, calling us to lend without expecting anything back. This is not merely financial advice but a reflection of God’s own character—He gives freely to those who cannot repay Him.
When used in the middle voice, as in Matthew 5:42, it refers to borrowing or receiving help. Jesus commands His followers not to refuse those who ask. Together, these uses reveal that money and resources are tools for relationship, not just security. Whether you are giving or receiving, this word invites us to act with grace, mirroring the Father’s kindness toward the unthankful and evil.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you shall lend [to those]1×
- to borrow1×
- lend1×
- do lend1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- δανίσητε1×
- δανίσασθαι1×
- δανίζουσιν1×
- δανίζετε1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 6:35
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.
This verse redefines lending as an act of love that expects no return, reflecting God's own kindness.
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Matthew 5:42
Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you.
Here the middle voice highlights the command not to refuse those who need to borrow, emphasizing generosity in receiving requests.
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Luke 6:34
If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much.
Jesus contrasts self-interested lending with His call to love enemies, showing that true generosity breaks economic cycles of debt and repayment.