κρατέω, -ῶ (κράτος), [in LXX chiefly for חָזַק hi, also for אָחַז, etc;] 1) to be strong, mighty, hence, to rule, be master, prevail (so chiefly in cl; in LXX: Est.1:1, I Est.4:38, Wis.14:19, al.). 2)
to get possession of, obtain, take hold of (Hdt, Thuc, al.): with genitive of thing(s) (M,
Pr., 65), Act.27:13; τ. χειρός, Mat.9:25, Mrk.1:31 5:41 9:27, Luk.8:54; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.12:11; with accusative of person(s), Mat.14:3 18:28 21:46 22:6 26:4, 48 ff, Mrk.3:21 6:17 12:12 14:1, 44 ff, Act.3:11 24:6, Rev.20:2 (cf. 2Ki.6:6). 3)
to hold, hold fast (Æsch, Polyb, al.): with accusative of thing(s), ἐν τ. δεξιᾷ, Rev.2:1. Metaphorical: with accusative of person(s), pass, Act.2:24; with accusative of thing(s), Rev.2:13, 25 3:11; τ. κεφαλήν (i.e. Christ), Col.2:19; τ. παράδοσιν (-εις), λόγον, διδαχήν, Mrk.7:3-4, 8 9:10, 2Th.2:15, Rev.2:14-15; with genitive of thing(s), Heb.4:14 6:18; of sins, to retain, Jhn.20:23; of restraint, before ἵνα μή, Rev.7:1; pass, before τοῦ μή, Luk.24:16. (
AS)