χράω (chraō)
chraō
to lend
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb chraō means to lend, specifically in the sense of providing something with the expectation of return. Its single New Testament appearance occurs in Luke 11:5, where Jesus tells a parable about a man who goes to his friend at midnight asking for three loaves of bread.
In this context, the word highlights the social obligation created by lending. The borrower is not merely receiving a gift but incurs a debt that creates a bond between the two parties. This usage reflects the Old Testament background where the term often translated the Hebrew word for loaning money or goods, emphasizing the reciprocal nature of such acts.
Translators typically render this as "lend" to preserve the specific economic and relational nuance. The word does not imply a charitable gift but rather a transactional favor that establishes a claim on the lender’s resources, underscoring the urgency and persistence required in the parable’s scenario.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
In Luke 11:5, Jesus uses the word for 'lend' to describe a neighborly request made at midnight. This act creates a social bond and an expectation of return, showing how our resources can connect us to others in times of need.
When you share what you have with someone who is struggling, you are participating in this same spirit of lending. It reminds us that community relies on mutual support and trust. Your generosity helps build bridges between people.
May your heart be open to helping those around you, knowing that small acts of sharing reflect God’s own provision for us all.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- do lend1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- χρῆσόν1×
Key Verses
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Luke 11:5
He said to them, “Which of you, if you go to a friend at midnight and tell him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,
This verse highlights the social obligation created by lending, as the borrower incurs a debt that establishes a bond between parties.