τηρέωtēréō
perhaps akin to G2334 (θεωρέω)); to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from G5442 (φυλάσσω), which is properly to prevent escaping; and from G2892 (κουστωδία), which implies a fortress or full military lines of apparatus), i.e. to note (a prophecy; figuratively, to fulfil a command); by implication, to detain (in custody; figuratively, to maintain); by extension, to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively, to keep unmarried); by extension, to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively, to keep unmarried)
Greek (New Testament) · G5083
Meanings
1. to watch over, guard, keep, preserve: Matthew 27:36, Acts 16:23, and elsewhere; ἑαυτόν, 2 Corinthians 11:9, 1 Timothy 5:22, James 1:27, Jude 1:21; followed by εἰς, John 12:7, Acts 25:21, 1 Peter 1:4, 2 Peter 2:4, 2 Peter 2:9, 2 Peter 3:7, Jude 1:6; ἐν, John 17:11, John 17:12, Jude 1:21; ἐκ, John 17:15, Revelation 3:10; τ. πίστιν, 2 Timothy 4:7, Revelation 14:12; τ. ἑνότητα τ. πνεύματος, Ephesians 4:3.
2. to watch, give heed to, observe: τ. σάββατον, John 9:16; τ. ἐντολήν (-άς), Matthew 19:17, John 14:15, John 15:10, 1 Timothy 6:14, 1 John 2:3, 1 John 2:4, 1 John 3:22, 1 John 3:24, 1 John 5:3, Revelation 12:17, Revelation 14:12; τ. λόγον (-ους), John 8:51, John 8:52, John 8:55, John 14:23, John 14:24, John 15:20, John 17:6, 1 John 2:5, Revelation 3:8, Revelation 3:10, Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:9; τ. νόμον, Acts 15:5, James 2:10; τ. παράδοσιν, Mark 7:9; τ. ἔργα, Revelation 2:26; τ. γεγραμμένα, Revelation 1:3 (cf. δια-, παρα-, συν-τηρέω)
Synonyms
φυλάσσω, implying custody and protection: τ. expresses the idea of watchful care and "may mark the result of which φ. is the means".
Same root
- διατηρέωdiatēréō · G1301to watch thoroughly, i.e. (positively and transitively) to observe strictly, or (negatively and reflexively) to avoid wholly
- συντηρέωsyntēréō · G4933to keep closely together, i.e. (by implication) to conserve (from ruin); mentally, to remember (and obey)
- τήρησιςtḗrēsis · G5084a watching, i.e. (figuratively) observance, or (concretely) a prison
- παρατηρέωparatēréō · G3906to inspect alongside, i.e. note insidiously or scrupulously
Where it appears
Appears 70 times in the Bible.
- Matthew 19:17 “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.”
- Matthew 23:3 So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach.
- Matthew 27:36 Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there.
- Matthew 27:54 The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!”
- Matthew 28:4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.
- Matthew 28:20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
See every passage
- Matthew 19:17, 23:3, 27:36, 27:54, 28:4, 28:20
- John 2:10, 8:51, 8:52, 8:55, 9:16, 12:7, 14:15, 14:21, 14:23, 14:24, 15:10, 15:20, 17:6, 17:11, 17:12, 17:15
- Acts 12:5, 12:6, 15:5, 16:23, 24:23, 25:4, 25:21
- 1 Corinthians 7:37
- 2 Corinthians 11:9
- Ephesians 4:3
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23
- 1 Timothy 5:22, 6:14
- 2 Timothy 4:7
- James 1:27, 2:10
- 1 Peter 1:4
- 2 Peter 2:4, 2:9, 2:17, 3:7
- 1 John 2:3, 2:4, 2:5, 3:22, 3:24, 5:3, 5:18
- Jude 1:1, 1:6, 1:13, 1:21
- Revelation 1:3, 2:26, 3:3, 3:8, 3:10, 12:17, 14:12, 16:15, 22:7, 22:9
Source: G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), public domain.