οἰκονομ-έω G3621
To manage, administer, or regulate as a steward; to oversee household or property affairs on behalf of another
This verb means to manage or administer, particularly in the role of a steward (οἰκονόμος) who oversees another's property or household. In Luke 16:2, the master confronts his steward: 'Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer manage my affairs.' The word implies delegated authority and responsibility—the steward doesn't own the resources but must faithfully administer them. Classical usage includes managing public offices and regulating resources, themes central to Jesus' stewardship parables.
Senses
1. sense 1 — To act as a steward or manager, administering resources or affairs on behalf of an owner. Luke 16:2 depicts the crisis moment when a steward is told he can 'no longer manage'—his authority is being revoked. The term captures the essence of delegated responsibility: managing what belongs to another, a key theme in Jesus' teaching about faithfulness with entrusted resources. 1×
AR["أَنْ-تَكُونَ-وَكِيلًا"]·ben["গৃহকর্তৃত্ব-করতে"]·DE["οἰκονομεῖν"]·EN["to-manage"]·FR["administrer"]·heb["לְ-פַקֵּד"]·HI["प्रबंधक-होना।"]·ID["mengelola"]·IT["oikonomein"]·jav["ngurus."]·KO["청지기하지"]·PT["administrar"]·RU["управлять"]·ES["ser-mayordomo"]·SW["kusimamia"]·TR["kâhyalık-etmeye"]·urd["مختاری-کرنا"]
Related Senses
G2962 1. Lord (divine title) (661×)H0136 1. Lord (divine title) (440×)H0113 1. lord, human superior (249×)G1849 1. authority, power (91×)H6485a 2. Qal: punish, bring judgment (63×)H8198 1. maidservant, female slave (63×)G2962 2. master, lord (human authority) (61×)H0034 1. needy, poor, destitute (61×)H0519 1. female servant, maidservant (56×)H6041 1. poor, needy person (55×)H0113 2. master, owner of servants (49×)H4910 1. Qal: to have dominion, exercise power over (44×)H1800 1. poor, needy (socioeconomic) (38×)H3515 1. heavy, severe, grievous (36×)G4434 1. (34×)G5092 1. honor, esteem, respect (33×)H6485a 4. Qal: visit, attend to, care for (32×)H3513 1. honor / show respect (Piel) (30×)H4910 2. Qal: to rule, govern (administrative authority) (27×)H4513 1. withhold, restrain, hold back (25×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
οἰκονομ-έω, manage as a house-steward, order, regulate, θαλάμους πατρός Refs 5th c.BC+; ταῦτα (i.e. meats) Refs 2nd c.AD+:—middle, Refs 4th c.BC+ __2 dispense, Refs 5th c.BC+; disburse, Refs 2nd c.BC+ __3 treat a substance with another, πυρίτην ὀξάλμῃ Refs 5th c.BC+: metaphorically, of a poet, εἰ τὰ ἄλλα μὴ εὖ οἰ. treat, handle, Refs 4th c.BC+; so (in middle) of an artist, οἰ. τὴν ὕλην Refs 2nd…