Strong's G3784 · Greek
ὀφείλω
opheílō
Definition
to owe (pecuniarily); figuratively, to be under obligation (ought, must, should); morally, to fail in duty
KJV: behove, be bound, (be) debt(-or), (be) due(-ty), be guilty (indebted), (must) need(-s), ought, owe, should
Root / derivation: probably from the base of G3786 (ὄφελος) (through the idea of accruing);
KJV usage breakdown
How the Authorized (KJV) translators rendered ὀφείλω across 35 verses.
Every occurrence (KJV)
35 verses use this word, grouped by book — the translated form is highlighted.
Matthew5 verses
But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
Matthew 18:30And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
Matthew 18:34And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
Matthew 23:16Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
Matthew 23:18And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
Luke5 verses
There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
Luke 11:4And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
Luke 16:5So he called every one of his lord’s debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?
Luke 16:7Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.
Luke 17:10So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
John2 verses
Romans3 verses
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Romans 15:1We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Romans 15:27It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.
1 Corinthians6 verses
Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
1 Corinthians 7:3Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
1 Corinthians 7:36But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.
1 Corinthians 9:10Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
1 Corinthians 11:7For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
1 Corinthians 11:10For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
2 Corinthians2 verses
I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
2 Corinthians 12:14Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
Ephesians1 verse
2 Thessalonians2 verses
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
2 Thessalonians 2:13But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
Hebrews3 verses
Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Hebrews 5:3And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
Hebrews 5:12For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
1 John3 verses
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
1 John 3:16Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1 John 4:11Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
Topics that use this word
Frequently asked questions
What does Strong's G3784 (opheílō) mean?
to owe (pecuniarily); figuratively, to be under obligation (ought, must, should); morally, to fail in duty
How many times does G3784 appear in the Bible?
Strong's G3784 (ὀφείλω) appears in 35 verses of the King James Version, most often translated “ought.”
How is opheílō translated in the KJV?
In the KJV, Strong's G3784 is rendered as “ought” (15×), “bound” (2×), “due” (2×), “owed” (2×), among other words.
Where does the Greek word ὀφείλω come from?
probably from the base of G3786 (ὄφελος) (through the idea of accruing);