"to need, want, desire, Mt. 6:32; Lk. 11:8; 12:30; Rom. 16:2; 2 Cor. 3:1*"
Definition and meaning
to need, want, desire, Mt. 6:32; Lk. 11:8; 12:30; Rom. 16:2; 2 Cor. 3:1*
In the original Greek the word is written: χρῄζω
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 chrezo (G5535) across the King James Bible.
(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?
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Common questions
Strong's G5535 (chrezo) is a Greek word that means: to need, want, desire, Mt. 6:32; Lk. 11:8; 12:30; Rom. 16:2; 2 Cor. 3:1* It appears 5 times in the King James Bible.
The word chrezo (G5535) appears 5 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5535 is chrezo, a Greek word defined as: to need, want, desire, Mt. 6:32; Lk. 11:8; 12:30; Rom. 16:2; 2 Cor. 3:1*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
chrezo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.