Quick Definition
μνηστεύω v. I ask in marriage
Strong's Definition
from a derivative of 3415; to give a souvenir (engagement present), i.e. betroth
KJV Usage: espouse
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
verb
34.74 · (μνηστεύομαι) · Association · Marriage, Divorce
to be engaged, to be promised in marriage to promise a person for marriage It may be important to note in the margin of a text that in biblical times the act of betrothal was regarded as binding, so that the breaking of a betrothal was legally equivalent to divorce.
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
μνηστεύω: Pass., pf. ptep. μεμνηστευμένος (RG) and ἐμνηστευμένος (1, Τ' Tr WH) [ef. W. § 12, 10; Veitch 8. v.; Τα. Proleg. p. 121]; 1 aor. ptep. μνηστευθείς ; (μνηστός betrothed, espoused); fr. Hom. down; Sept. for WN; τινά (γυναῖκα), lo woo her and ask her in marriage; pass. to be promised in marriage, be betrothed: τινί, Mt. i. 18; ΠΕΣ PIE, τ. 5
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
μνηστεύω mnēsteuō 3x
to ask in marriage; to betroth; pass. to be betrothed, engaged, Mt. 1:18; Lk. 1:27; 2:5*
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
μνηστεύω,
[in LXX for ארשׂ pi., pu.;]
to woo and win, espouse.
to promise in marriage, betroth; pass., of the woman, to be betrothed: c. dat. pers., Mt 1:18, Lk 1:27 2:5.†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
μνηστεύω. For this verb = “‘ promise in marriage,” ‘‘betroth,” ef, P Flor I. 364 (iv/a.D.) μνηστευσαμένου μου τοίνυν τῷ ἡμετέρῳ υἱῷ Ζωΐλῳ τὴν τῆς θείας pov [ θυγατέρα Tae. . tovy [ἅμα ἐκ νηπίας ἡλικίας πρὸς γάμου κοινωνίαν.
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
μνηστεύω (mnēsteuō) — to betroth. μνηστ-εύω, Doric dialect μναστ-, aorist ἐμνήστευσα: perfect μεμνήστευκα [Refs 1st c.BC+]:—middle, future μνηστεύσομαι [Refs 4th c.AD+]: perfect μεμνήστευμαι [Refs 2nd c.AD+], in passive sense, [NT]:—court, seek in marriage, with accusative, ἀγαθήν τε γυναῖκα καὶ ἀφνειοῖο θύγατρα μνηστεύειν [Refs 8th c.BC+]; woo and win, espouse, [Refs 6th c.BC+]:—middle, court for oneself, Περσεφόνης γάμον [Refs 1st c.AD+]:—passive, of the woman, μναστευθείσᾳ᾽ ξ Ἑλλάνων [Refs 5th c.BC+]
II. promise in marriage, betroth, τινά τινι [Refs 5th c.BC+]; γάμον μνηστεύειν (with or without τινι) to bring about a marriage for another, help him to a wife, [Refs 3rd c.BC+] —passive, τῇ μεμνηστευμένῃ αὐτῷ γυναικί his betrothed wife, [NT]
II. b metaphorically, τοσόνδε κίνδυνον αὐτῷ ὁ ὄλεθρος τῶν ἀδελφῶν μ. [Refs 1st c.AD+]
III. generally, sue, canvass for a thing, with accusative, χειροτονίαν [Refs 5th c.BC+]: with infinitive, μνηστευόμενος ἄρχειν ἑκόντων [Refs 1st c.AD+] —also in middle, μ. πόλεμον, διαλλαγάς, [Refs 1st c.AD+]
IV. λόγον μ. τινί pass off a speech upon a person, hawk it to him, [Refs 5th c.BC+]