Brief Overview of ἑρμηνεύω (Strong’s G2059: hermēneúō)

Introduction

Understanding Greek words is essential in Biblical studies as it provides a deeper comprehension of the meanings and nuances found in the original texts. The Greek word ἑρμηνεύω (hermēneúō) is particularly significant because it means “to interpret” or “to translate.” This word is crucial in understanding New Testament passages that discuss the gift of interpreting tongues and the general practice of explaining or translating foreign languages or obscure meanings. Moreover, ἑρμηνεύω plays a role in understanding ancient Greek culture, where interpretation was a valued skill, especially in the realms of philosophy, rhetoric, and religion.

Key Information

The Greek Word: ἑρμηνεύω (hermēneúō) [her-may-NYOO-oh]
Etymology: Derived from Hermes (Ἑρμῆς), the Greek god associated with communication, language, and interpretation.
Part of Speech: Verb; second conjugation.
The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

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To interpret: To explain the meaning of something, especially language or text.
To translate: To convert words or text from one language into another.
To expound: To explain or elaborate on a concept or subject.

Similar Words: διερμηνεύω (diermēneúō) [dee-er-may-NYOO-oh] also means “to interpret” or “to translate,” but it often implies a more thorough or detailed interpretation or explanation, particularly in contexts involving complex or difficult subjects.

Further Insights: As a verb, ἑρμηνεύω (hermēneúō) follows the second conjugation pattern in Greek. This word is an important example of verbs derived from the names of deities, indicating the cultural significance of interpretation in ancient times. Below is the present tense conjugation of ἑρμηνεύω:

Person	Singular	Plural
1st	ἑρμηνεύω	ἑρμηνεύομεν
2nd	ἑρμηνεύεις	ἑρμηνεύετε
3rd	ἑρμηνεύει	ἑρμηνεύουσι(ν)

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Lexicon Insights

BDAG: ἑρμηνεύω is defined as “to interpret” or “to translate,” with specific reference to rendering a language into a form that others can understand. It is used both in the context of spiritual gifts, like the interpretation of tongues, and in more general contexts of explaining obscure or foreign concepts.

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Thayer’s: Provides the definition of ἑρμηνεύω as “to interpret,” particularly highlighting its use in the New Testament for interpreting spoken languages and translating ideas from one language to another. Thayer also emphasizes its significance in the context of spiritual gifts.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary: Focuses on the use of ἑρμηνεύω in explaining or interpreting spiritual truths or languages. It is associated with making clear what is otherwise difficult to understand or obscure, especially in the context of the early Christian church.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): Lists ἑρμηνεύω as “to interpret,” “to explain,” or “to translate.” The lexicon provides examples from classical Greek literature, where the term is used in various contexts, including philosophical discourse, religious rituals, and everyday communication.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Defines ἑρμηνεύω as “to interpret” or “translate,” highlighting its occurrences in passages that deal with the interpretation of tongues. It points out its importance in the early church’s worship and teaching practices.

Related Scripture References

John 1:38: “Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, ‘What are you seeking?’ And they said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which means [ἑρμηνεύεται] Teacher), ‘where are you staying?'”
John 1:42: “He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas’ (which is [ἑρμηνεύεται] Peter).”
Hebrews 7:2: “And to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation [ἑρμηνεύεται] of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.”

Classical Usage

Author	Name of Work	English text
Plato	Cratylus	“The names of things must be interpreted (ἑρμηνεύονται) correctly to understand their nature.”
Herodotus	Histories	“The priests were able to interpret (ἑρμηνεύειν) the signs and omens for the visitors.”
Aristophanes	The Birds	“The oracle needs to be interpreted (ἑρμηνεύει) by those who understand the gods’ language.”

Septuagint Examples:

Author	Name of Work	English text
Genesis	Book of Genesis	“And they said to him, ‘We have dreamed a dream, and there is no one to interpret (ἑρμηνεύειν) it.'”
Daniel	Book of Daniel	“And I have heard of you that you can give interpretations (ἑρμηνεύειν) and solve difficult problems.”
Nehemiah	Book of Nehemiah	“And they read from the book, from the law of God, interpreting (ἑρμηνεύοντες) it so the people understood.”

Summary of ἑρμηνεύω (G2059)

In summary, ἑρμηνεύω (hermēneúō) is a Greek verb that means “to interpret” or “to translate.” It is used in the New Testament in contexts that emphasize the importance of understanding and explaining languages or concepts, especially in connection with the spiritual gift of interpreting tongues. The word also appears in classical Greek literature, where it is associated with the skills of translation, explanation, and making the obscure clear. Understanding ἑρμηνεύω is vital for comprehending both the theological significance of interpretation in the New Testament and the cultural value of interpretation in ancient Greek society.

Did You Know?

Did you know that the Greek god Hermes, from whom the word ἑρμηνεύω (hermēneúō) is derived, was considered the divine messenger and interpreter for the gods? This origin reflects the high regard ancient Greeks had for the art of interpretation and communication, viewing it as a bridge between the divine and human worlds.