"to run to the aid of those who cry for help; to advance to the assistance of any one, help, aid, succor, Mt. 15:25; Mk. 9:22, 24"
Definition and meaning
to run to the aid of those who cry for help; to advance to the assistance of any one, help, aid, succor, Mt. 15:25; Mk. 9:22, 24
In the original Greek the word is written: βοηθέω
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of boetheo (G997) across the King James Bible.
Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
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Common questions
Strong's G997 (boetheo) is a Greek word that means: to run to the aid of those who cry for help; to advance to the assistance of any one, help, aid, succor, Mt. 15:25; Mk. 9:22, 24 It appears 8 times in the King James Bible.
The word boetheo (G997) appears 8 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G997 is boetheo, a Greek word defined as: to run to the aid of those who cry for help; to advance to the assistance of any one, help, aid, succor, Mt. 15:25; Mk. 9:22, 24. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
boetheo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.