"to ask in marriage; to betroth; pass. to be betrothed, engaged, Mt. 1:18; Lk. 1:27; 2:5*"
Definition and meaning
to ask in marriage; to betroth; pass. to be betrothed, engaged, Mt. 1:18; Lk. 1:27; 2:5*
In the original Greek the word is written: μνηστεύω
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 mnesteuo (G3423) across the King James Bible.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
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Common questions
Strong's G3423 (mnesteuo) is a Greek word that means: to ask in marriage; to betroth; pass. to be betrothed, engaged, Mt. 1:18; Lk. 1:27; 2:5* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word mnesteuo (G3423) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3423 is mnesteuo, a Greek word defined as: to ask in marriage; to betroth; pass. to be betrothed, engaged, Mt. 1:18; Lk. 1:27; 2:5*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
mnesteuo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.