ὀφείλω

opheílō · Greek · Strong's G3784 · 35 occurrences

The KJV renders 6 different Hebrew and Greek words as “debt”

What it means

to owe (pecuniarily); figuratively, to be under obligation (ought, must, should); morally, to fail in duty

probably from the base of G3786 (ὄφελος) (through the idea of accruing);

How the KJV renders it

behove, be bound, debt, due, be guilty, need, ought, owe, should

Where that flattens a distinction

The same English word is also used for these other originals, so the distinction between them disappears in translation.

“debt”

also renders opheilḗ (G3782), dáneion (G1156), opheílēma (G3783), mashshâʼâh (H4859), nᵉshîy (H5386)

“due”

also renders opheilḗ (G3782), kairós (G2540), ídios (G2398), dâbâr (H1697), mishpâṭ (H4941)

“need”

also renders prosdéomai (G4326), chrḗizō (G5535), deî (G1163), chreía (G5532), tsôrek (H6878)

“ought”

also renders tìs (G5100), deî (G1163), chrḗ (G5534), kôl (H3605), mᵉʼûwmâh (H3972)

“should”

also renders deî (G1163)

Answers that weigh this word

Where it appears

35 occurrences in the Greek text, first 34 verses shown.

1 Corinthians 5:10 · V-IAI-2P

yet not at all meaning with the sexual sinners of this world, or with the covetous and extortionists, or with idolaters, for then you would have to leave the world.

1 Corinthians 7:36 · V-PAI-3S

But if any man thinks that he is behaving inappropriately toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of her age, and if need so requires, let him do what he desires. He doesn’t sin. Let them marry.

1 Corinthians 9:10 · V-PAI-3S

or does he say it assuredly for our sake? Yes, it was written for our sake, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should partake of his hope.

1 Corinthians 11:7 · V-PAI-3S

For a man indeed ought not to have his head covered, because he is the image and glory of God, but the woman is the glory of the man.

1 Corinthians 11:10 · V-PAI-3S

For this cause the woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels.

1 John 2:6 · V-PAI-3S

he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked.

1 John 3:16 V-PAI-1P1 John 4:11 V-PAI-1P2 Corinthians 12:11 V-IAI-1S2 Corinthians 12:14 V-PAI-3S2 Thessalonians 1:3 V-PAI-1P2 Thessalonians 2:13 V-PAI-1P3 John 1:8 V-PAI-1PActs 17:29 V-PAI-1PEphesians 5:28 V-PAI-3PHebrews 2:17 V-IAI-3SHebrews 5:3 V-PAI-3SHebrews 5:12 V-PAP-NPMJohn 13:14 V-PAI-2PJohn 19:7 V-PAI-3SLuke 7:41 V-IAI-3SLuke 11:4 V-PAP-DSMLuke 16:5 V-PAI-2SLuke 16:7 V-PAI-2SLuke 17:10 V-IAI-1PMatthew 18:28 V-IAI-3SMatthew 18:30 V-PPP-ASNMatthew 18:34 V-PPP-ASNMatthew 23:16 V-PAI-3SMatthew 23:18 V-PAI-3SPhilemon 1:18 V-PAI-3SRomans 13:8 V-PAM-2PRomans 15:1 V-PAI-1PRomans 15:27 V-PAI-3P

Occurrences and morphology are taken from the primary Greek text, never from an English translation. Strong's Hebrew lexicon and Westminster Leningrad Codex morphology used under CC BY-SA 4.0 / CC BY 4.0 (OpenScriptures). Strong's Greek lexicon is public domain.