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)

to be strong; mighty; to rule; be master; prevail; to get possession of; obtain; take hold of; to hold; hold fast; to retain