Lexical Summary eaó: Allow, permit, let, leave Original Word: ἐάω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance permit, leave alone. Of uncertain affinity; to let be, i.e. Permit or leave alone -- commit, leave, let (alone), suffer. See also ea. see GREEK ea HELPS Word-studies 1439 eáō – to permit, which implies misgiving that goes with the allowing – such as pointing to a lurking danger (see Ac 23:32) or "putting up with something" with reluctance. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. verb, see also ea Definition to let alone, leave NASB Translation allow (2), allowed (2), leaving (1), left (1), let (2), permit (1), permitted (1), stop (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1439: ἐάωἐάω, ἕω; imperfect εἴων; future ἐάσω; 1 aorist εἴασα; from Homer down; 1. to allow, permit, let: followed by the infinitive, οὐκ ἄν εἴασε διορυγῆναι (T Tr WH διορυχθῆναι), Matthew 24:43; by the accusative of the person and the infinitive, Luke 4:41 (οὐκ εἴα αὐτά λαλεῖν); Acts 14:16; Acts 23:32; Acts 27:32; Acts 28:4; 1 Corinthians 10:13; by the accusative alone, when the infinitive is easily supplied from the context, οὐκ εἴασεν αὐτούς, namely, πορευθῆναι, Acts 16:7; οὐκ εἴων αὐτόν, namely, εἰσελθεῖν, Acts 19:30; (cf. Winer's Grammar, 476 (444)]. 2. τινα, to suffer one to do what he wishes, not to restrain, to let alone: Revelation 2:20 Rec.; Acts 5:38 R G; ἐᾶτε namely, αὐτούς, is spoken by Christ to the apostles, meaning, 'do not resist them, let them alone,' (the following ἕως τούτου is to be separated from what precedes; (others connect the words closely, and render 'suffer them to go even to this extreme'; but cf. Meyer at the passage, Weiss edition)), Luke 22:51. 3. To give up, let go, leave: τάς ἀγκύρας ... εἴων εἰς τήν θάλασσαν, they let down into the sea (i. e., abandoned; cf. B. D. American edition, p. 3009{a} bottom), Acts 27:40. (Compare: προσεάω.) Topical Lexicon Overview of New Testament Usage The verb occurs eleven times and always deals with the idea of permitting, leaving, or allowing. The contexts span the earthly ministry of Jesus, apostolic missionary journeys, practical seafaring decisions, and theological teaching on temptation. The action may be carried out by God, by Jesus, by the Holy Spirit, by human authorities, or by ordinary believers, yet in every case it underscores the interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Themes of Divine Permission Acts 14:16 provides the clearest theological statement: “In past generations He let all nations go their own way”. Here the apostle Paul explains that God’s permitting of Gentile self-direction was not indifference but part of a redemptive timeline pointing to the gospel. Such permission highlights both God’s patience and His eventual summons to repentance (Acts 17:30). Similarly, 1 Corinthians 10:13 assures believers that God “will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear,” demonstrating divine control even when evil is temporarily allowed to test the faithful. Human Responsibility and Watchfulness Matthew 24:43 places the burden on the householder: “If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and not allowed his house to be broken into.” Permission here is negative—failure to guard results in unauthorized entry. Jesus’ eschatological warning urges constant vigilance so that believers do not, by negligence, grant the enemy unwitting access. Spiritual Conflict and Deliverance Luke 4:41 shows Jesus refusing permission to demonic forces: “He rebuked them and did not allow them to speak, because they knew He was the Christ.” The Lord’s authority limits what demons may do or say, underscoring His messianic identity. Later, in Gethsemane, Jesus says, “Permit even this” (Luke 22:51, literal rendering), halting further violence and immediately healing the servant’s ear. The same verb reveals that evil is restrained or released only within boundaries set by God’s redemptive purpose. Missionary Guidance and Providence During the second missionary journey, “the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them” to preach in Bithynia (Acts 16:7), redirecting the team toward Europe and the Macedonian call. Likewise, when Paul longs to address the hostile mob in Ephesus, “the disciples would not let him” (Acts 19:30), illustrating that Spirit-guided prudence sometimes withholds a good desire for a greater strategic goal. Judicial and Civil Settings Roman soldiers guarding Paul “let the horsemen go on with him” (Acts 23:32), a tactical decision balancing duty and safety. Twice on the storm-tossed ship (Acts 27:32; Acts 27:40) sailors “let” ropes or anchors go, permitting events that ultimately fulfill God’s promise of rescue (Acts 27:24-25). Each occurrence portrays permission within human authority structures yet moving toward God’s ordained outcome. Historical Insight In the Greco-Roman world, permitting or withholding permission was a hallmark of authority—whether imperial, military, or domestic. The New Testament writers adopt the term to show that ultimate authority belongs to God: earthly rulers may “allow,” but their freedom operates inside divine limits (compare John 19:11). Early church fathers cited these passages to defend God’s justice in permitting evil temporarily while preserving final accountability. Pastoral and Practical Application 1. Temptation: Believers draw comfort from knowing that no trial exceeds God-granted capacity to endure (1 Corinthians 10:13). Theological Implications The verb illumines the mystery of concurrence: God’s sovereign will unfolds through permissions granted or withheld, yet human agents remain fully responsible for their choices. Scripture presents no contradiction between divine control and authentic human action; rather, it displays a dynamic partnership whereby God permits certain events to manifest His glory, test His people, and advance His saving purposes. Forms and Transliterations εά εάσαι εασαντες εάσαντες ἐάσαντες εάσατε εασει εάσει ἐάσει εάσεις εασόν έασόν Εατε εάτε Ἐᾶτε εβδομάδας εβδομάδες εβδομάδος εβδομάδων εβδομάς εια εία εἴα είασα ειασαν είασαν εἴασαν είασε ειασεν είασεν εἴασεν ειων είων εἴων easantes eásantes easei eásei Eate Eâte eia eía eiasan eíasan eiasen eíasen eion eiōn eíon eíōnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 24:43 V-AIA-3SGRK: οὐκ ἂν εἴασεν διορυχθῆναι τὴν NAS: he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house KJV: would not have suffered his house INT: not anyhow have allowed to be dug through the Luke 4:41 V-IIA-3S Luke 22:51 V-PMA-2P Acts 14:16 V-AIA-3S Acts 16:7 V-AIA-3S Acts 19:30 V-IIA-3P Acts 23:32 V-APA-NMP Acts 27:32 V-AIA-3P Acts 27:40 V-IIA-3P Acts 28:4 V-AIA-3S 1 Corinthians 10:13 V-FIA-3S Strong's Greek 1439 |