δέω (deō)
deō
to bind
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 41 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb deō means to bind, tie, or fasten something securely. In the New Testament it describes physical restraint, such as when Jesus commands his disciples to tie a donkey (Matthew 21:2) or when Paul is bound with chains in Acts 21:11. It also refers to wrapping a body for burial, as seen in John 11:44 and John 19:40, where the dead are swathed in linen cloths.
Beyond physical ties, deō carries significant metaphorical weight. In Luke 13:16, Jesus describes a woman bent double by illness as being bound by Satan, suggesting an invisible force holding her captive. The word also denotes legal or moral obligation, such as the bond of marriage (Romans 7:2) or the constraint of the gospel on Paul’s ministry (2 Timothy 2:9). In Matthew 16:19 and 18:18, it takes on a rabbinic sense of forbidding or declaring something illicit, highlighting the authority given to the church.
Its root meaning of securing or restricting applies across these contexts, whether binding an animal, a prisoner, a corpse, or a person’s actions. Translators often use "bind" or "bound," but the Greek implies a firm, inescapable connection that defines the subject’s state or limitation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word deō describes a firm connection, whether physical or spiritual. In the Gospels, Jesus uses it to show that true freedom requires addressing the root of bondage. He speaks of binding the strong man to rescue his household, reminding us that spiritual victory comes from recognizing who holds authority. This image encourages believers to trust in Christ’s power over forces that seek to restrict our lives.
Beyond physical restraint, deō also appears in contexts of burial and legal obligation. When Lazarus was wrapped in linen cloths, the binding marked a temporary state before Jesus called him forth. Similarly, Paul notes that the gospel binds him, not as a burden, but as a sacred duty to share the good news. These uses highlight how God can use constraints to direct our path and prepare us for new life.
Understanding this word helps us see that not all bindings are negative. Some reflect God’s order, such as the bonds of marriage or the commitment to serve others. When we feel restricted by circumstances or spiritual opposition, we can look to Jesus, who has authority over every chain. His power offers release and restoration, inviting us to walk in the freedom He provides.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 41 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- bound16×
- tied4×
- having bound3×
- you shall bind2×
- to bind2×
- to be bound2×
- has been bound2×
- will bind1×
- to have been bound1×
- imprisoned.1×
- he shall bind,1×
- he shall bind1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- δεδεμένον6×
- ἔδησεν4×
- δεδεμένους4×
- δεδεμένος4×
- δήσαντες3×
- ἔδησαν2×
- δῆσαι2×
- δέδεται2×
- δεθῆναι2×
- δήσῃς1×
- δήσῃ,1×
- δήσῃ1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 12:29
Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man and plunder his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? Then he will plunder his house.
Jesus uses this term to illustrate that overcoming evil requires first neutralizing the strong man's power.
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Luke 13:16
Ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham whom Satan had bound eighteen long years, be freed from this bondage on the Sabbath day?”
The word describes a woman held captive by Satan for eighteen years, emphasizing Jesus' authority to break spiritual bondage.
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John 11:44
He who was dead came out, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Free him, and let him go.”
Lazarus is bound in grave clothes, showing that physical restraint can be temporary before divine liberation.
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Matthew 16:19
I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven; and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.”
This verse establishes the church's authority to declare what is permitted or forbidden on earth as it reflects heaven.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does deō mean in the New Testament?
How is deō different from other words for tying?
Where does the word appear most significantly?
Does binding always mean something negative?
Every Occurrence (41 verses across 10 books)
Matthew 8 verses
Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man and plunder his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? Then…
Matthew 13:30Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the harvest time I will tell the reapers, “First, gather up the darnel…
Matthew 14:3For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.
Matthew 16:19I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven;…
Matthew 18:18Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you…
Matthew 21:2saying to them, “Go into the village that is opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with…
Matthew 22:13Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and throw him into the outer darkness. That…
Matthew 27:2They bound him, led him away, and delivered him up to Pontius Pilate, the governor.