κρατέω, -ῶ
(< κράτος), [in LXX chiefly for חזק hi., also for אחז, etc.;]
1. to be strong, mighty, hence, to rule, be master, prevail (so chiefly in cl.; in LXX: Es 1:1, I Es 4:38, Wi 14:19, al.).
2. to get possession of, obtain, take hold of (Hdt., Thuc., al.): c. gen. rei (M, Pr., 65), Ac 27:13; τ. χειρός, Mt 9:25, Mk 1:315:419:27, Lk 8:54; c. acc. rei, Mt 12:11; c. acc. pers., Mt 14:318:2821:4622:626:4, 48 ff., Mk 3:216:1712:1214:1, 44 ff., Ac 3:1124:6, Re 20:2 (cf. II Ki 6:6).
3. to hold, hold fast (Æsch., Polyb., al.): c. acc. rei, ἐν τ. δεξιᾷ, Re 2:1. Metaph.: c. acc. pers., pass., Ac 2:24; c. acc. rei, Re 2:13, 253:11; τ. κεφαλήν (i.e. Christ), Col 2:19; τ. παράδοσιν (-εις), λόγον, διδαχήν, Mk 7:3, 4, 89:10, II Th 2:15, Re 2:14, 15; c. gen. rei, He 4:146:18; of sins, to retain, Jo 20:23; of restraint, seq. ἵνα μή, Re 7:1; pass., seq. τοῦ μή, Lk 24:16.†