Greek · G1210

δέω

To bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

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δέω G1210

Pronunciation déō

What does δέω (déō) mean in the Bible?

Deo means to bind, tie, fasten, confine, obligate, or place under a binding relationship. Paul uses it for marriage bonds and for his own imprisonment, while declaring that God's word is not bound.

Reader summary

Full entry for δέω (G1210) · Open the biblical lexicon

Questions this entry answers

What does δέω (déō) mean in the Bible?

Deo means to bind, tie, fasten, confine, obligate, or place under a binding relationship. Paul uses it for marriage bonds and for his own imprisonment, while declaring that God's word is not bound.

How does the BSB render G1210?

The BSB source-word alignment has 43 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include bound (9), tied [there] (3), is bound (2), They bound (2), tie (2).

Where does δέω (déō) appear in Scripture?

The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Matthew 12:29. Its strongest book concentrations include Acts (12), Matthew (10), Mark (8), John (4).

What This Word Actually Means

Deo means to bind, tie, fasten, confine, obligate, or place under a binding relationship. Paul uses it for marriage bonds and for his own imprisonment, while declaring that God's word is not bound. John describes Lazarus wrapped in grave cloths, and Jesus speaks of a woman whom Satan had bound for eighteen years. The verb ranges from physical restraint to covenant obligation and oppressive bondage; no single occurrence grants general authority to bind people spiritually.

Marriage, lawful custody, illness, and demonic oppression remain distinct contexts. Churches should never use binding language to justify physical restraint, coerced vows, trapped marriages, retaliation, or amateur deliverance. Christ frees the oppressed, His word remains unconstrained, and any human restriction must face law, consent, truth, safety, and accountable limits.