εὐλαβ-ής G2126
devout, reverent, pious; one who takes careful hold of sacred obligations
Built from 'eu' (well) and 'labein' (to take hold), this adjective originally described someone who proceeds cautiously and prudently. In the Septuagint and New Testament it shifted decisively toward religious reverence—a person who 'takes careful hold' of their obligations before God. Simeon in Luke 2:25 embodies this quality as he awaits the Messiah. Spanish 'devoto/piadoso' and French 'pieux' each capture the warm piety the word conveys, distinguishing it from mere caution.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Devout, reverent, genuinely pious—describing someone who approaches God and sacred duties with careful, heartfelt reverence. Simeon is called eulabes as he waits faithfully for Israel's consolation (Luke 2:25). The devout Jews gathered at Pentecost (Acts 2:5) and those who buried Stephen (Acts 8:2) share this quality. Ananias is commended as devout by the Jewish community (Acts 22:12). Spanish 'devoto/piadoso' and French 'pieux' highlight the warmth of genuine piety rather than mere prudence. 4×
AR["أَتْقِيَاءُ", "تَقِيًّا", "تَقِيٌّ"]·ben["ধার্মিক", "ধার্মিকেরা", "ভক্ত"]·DE["εὐλαβής", "εὐλαβεῖς", "εὐλαβὴς"]·EN["devout"]·FR["pieux"]·heb["יְרֵא־אֱלֹהִים", "יִרְאֵי-אֱלֹהִים", "יָרֵא-אֱלֹהִים"]·HI["धर्मनिष्ठ", "भक्त"]·ID["saleh"]·IT["devoto", "eulabes"]·jav["ingkang-mursid", "mursid", "mursid,"]·KO["경건한"]·PT["piedoso", "piedosos"]·RU["благочестивые", "благочестивый"]·ES["devoto", "piadoso", "piadosos"]·SW["mcha-Mungu", "wa-dini", "wachamungu"]·TR["dindar"]·urd["دین-دار", "دیندار"]
Related Senses
H3548 1. priest, cultic officiant (750×)G5547 1. Christ, Messiah, Anointed One (540×)H5030 1. Prophet, divine spokesperson (317×)H5930a 1. burnt offering (sacrifice) (286×)H3881 1. Levites (priestly class) (283×)G4396 1. prophet, spokesperson of God (146×)H6944 1. sanctuary, holy place (129×)G0749 1. high priest, chief priest (123×)H6944 2. holiness, sacredness (abstract quality) (123×)G5330 1. Pharisee (99×)G4336 1. pray to God (86×)H6944 3. holy things, sacred offerings (plural) (86×)H3722a 1. make ritual atonement (Piel) (85×)H6912 1. bury (Qal active) (82×)H6419 1. pray (Hitpael) (80×)H6944 4. holiness (with possessive pronoun) (77×)H6942 1. sanctify, consecrate (Piel factitive) (76×)H2930a 1. Qal: be/become unclean (75×)H7819a 1. slaughter an animal (Qal active) (72×)H1486 1. lot (object cast for decisions) (71×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
εὐλαβ-ής, ές, (λαβεῖν) taking hold well, holding fast, clinging, metaphorically, πενία Refs 2nd c.AD+: literal in adverb εὐλαβῶς, κατέχειν Refs 2nd c.AD+ __II metaphorically, undertaking prudently, discreet, cautious, Refs 5th c.BC+; τὸ πρὸς τὰ μεγάλα τῶν τετολμημένων εὐ. Refs 2nd c.AD+; εὐ. ἀπό τινος keeping from.., LXX. adverb - βῶς Refs 5th c.BC+: comparative -εστέρως Refs 5th c.BC+ __II.2…