to praise/bless
eulogeo describes blessing people or things, praising God, and declaring someone blessed in Scripture.
The verb most often marks blessing bestowed on people, whether in instruction, prayer-like action, or a stated promise; it also occurs in acts involving bread or food, in praise directed to God, and in public declarations that a person or coming kingdom is blessed.
Senses in use
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Bestowing blessing on persons · dominant
Active forms occur where blessing is directed toward people: in Luke 24:50 the APB renders the lifted hands and the action toward the disciples as “he blessed them,” while Acts 3:26 describes the sent child “blessing you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.” In Romans 12:14 and 1 Peter 3:9, present forms command or describe blessing those who persecute or revile rather than returning evil.
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Blessing bread or food before distribution · common
In meal scenes, the verb stands between taking food and breaking or setting it out. In Matthew 14:19 the APB renders the sequence as taking the loaves and fish, looking up, blessing them, breaking them, and giving them out; Mark 14:22 similarly places the action before the bread is broken and given.
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Public declaration that someone is blessed · common
Perfect passive participles appear in acclamations and pronouncements. In John 12:13 the APB renders the crowd's shout, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord,” and Matthew 25:34 addresses those on the king's right as “you who are blessed of my father.”
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Praising God · occasional
The verb can be directed to God in speech or worship. In Luke 1:64 the APB says that, after his mouth was opened, he began speaking and “blessing God”; James 3:9 contrasts blessing “the Lord and Father” with cursing humans.
In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly uses “bless” and “blessed,” including blessing people, bread, and God. In a few clauses it uses nearby wording such as “gave thanks” or “praising God”; These variations do not by themselves establish separate meanings.