phileō · hold dear

What it means

phileō (φιλέω) is a Greek word of the Bible that means “hold dear”.

Have affection for; like to do something; also kiss.

How to say it

Approximate pronunciation. Vowels sound as in Spanish (a as in father, e as in bed, i as in machine, o as in note, u as in rule); the syllable in bold is stressed. The voice is your device's.

Its senses in the Bible

1. To be fond of someone, or like something.
2. To greet with the lips.

From Abbott-Smith (1922) · Thayer (1889)

How it is translated

The words this translation uses for it, most frequent first.

• hold dear ×6
• I hold you dear ×3
• holds dear ×3
• I kiss ×2
• do you hold me dear ×2
• held dear ×2
• holds dearer ×2
• have held me dear ×1
• hold us dear ×1
• holds you dear ×1
• others ×2

Related words

Words of the same family, by Strong’s numbering.

Where it appears

• Matthew×5
• Mark×1
• Luke×2
• John×13
• 1 Corinthians×1
• Titus×1
• Revelation×2

• Matthew 6:5

  “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites, for they are fond of praying standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the main streets, so that they may be seen by people. Truly I tell you, they have received in full their reward.

• Matthew 10:37

  The one who holds father or mother dearer than me is not worthy of me; and the one who holds son or daughter dearer than me is not worthy of me.

• Matthew 23:6

  and they hold dear the place of honor at the dinners and the first seats in the synagogues,

• Matthew 26:48

  Now the one who was handing him over had given them a sign, saying, “The one I kiss, he is the one; seize him.”

• Mark 14:44

  Now the one who was handing him over had given them a signal, saying, “Whomever I kiss, he is the one; seize him and lead him away under guard.”

• Luke 20:46

  “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and hold dear greetings in the marketplaces and the first seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets,

• Luke 22:47

  While he was still speaking, look, a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was going ahead of them, and he drew near to Jesus to kiss him.

• John 5:20

  For the Father holds the Son dear and shows him all that he himself does; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you may be amazed.

• John 11:3

  So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, look, the one you hold dear is sick.”

• John 11:36

  So the Jews were saying, “See how he held him dear!”

• John 12:25

  Whoever holds his life dear loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

• John 15:19

  If you were of the world, the world would hold dear its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you.

• John 16:27

  for the Father himself holds you dear, because you have held me dear and have believed that I came forth from God.

• John 20:2

  So she runs and comes to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, whom Jesus held dear, and says to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have put him.”

• John 21:15

  So when they had had breakfast, Jesus says to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He says to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I hold you dear.” He says to him, “Feed my lambs.”

• John 21:16

  He says to him again, a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He says to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I hold you dear.” He says to him, “Shepherd my sheep.”

• John 21:17

  He says to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you hold me dear?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you hold me dear?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I hold you dear.” Jesus says to him, “Feed my sheep.

• 1 Corinthians 16:22

  If anyone does not hold the Lord dear, let him be accursed. Marana tha! (Our Lord, come!)

• Titus 3:15

  All who are with me greet you. Greet those who hold us dear in the faith. Grace be with all of you.

• Revelation 3:19

  I rebuke and discipline all those whom I hold dear; be zealous, then, and change your mind.

• Revelation 22:15

  Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the sexually immoral and the murderers and the idolaters and everyone who holds dear and practices falsehood.

And 4 more times.