Fetching details from the dictionary...

to recommend (someone to do); to advise; to encourage; to urge
to recommend (a book, someone for a position, etc.); to suggest
to offer (a drink, cigarette, seat, etc.)
医者に毎日の運動を奨められた。
The doctor recommended I exercise every day.
友人にこの本を奨めたいと思う。
I want to recommend this book to my friend.
先生が留学を強く奨めていた。
The teacher was strongly encouraging studying abroad.