Brief Overview of ἰάομαι (Strong’s G2390: iaomai)

Introduction

Understanding Greek words is crucial for biblical studies because it allows us to grasp the depth of meaning embedded in the original texts. The Greek word ἰάομαι (iaomai) is particularly significant as it relates to healing, a central theme in both the Old and New Testaments. By examining the usage and implications of ἰάομαι, one gains a richer understanding of how healing was perceived in ancient Greek culture and its theological significance in the Bible.

Key Information

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• The Greek Word: ἰάομαι, transliterated as iaomai [ee-AH-oh-my].
• Etymology: The word is derived from the Greek root ἰατρός (iatros), meaning “physician” or “healer.”
• Part of Speech: Verb; it belongs to the middle voice, primarily used in the present, imperfect, and future tenses.
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

• To heal, to cure, to restore to health.
• To make whole or well, particularly referring to both physical and spiritual healing.

Similar Words: θεραπεύω (therapeuō) [theh-rah-PYOO-oh] is another Greek word for “to heal,” often used in more general terms of providing care or therapy, not necessarily implying a miraculous or divine intervention. In contrast, ἰάομαι emphasizes a more divine or miraculous act of healing, often associated with Jesus and the apostles in the New Testament.

Further Insights: ἰάομαι is used primarily in the middle voice, which indicates an action that reflects back upon the subject. This can imply a more personal or reciprocal form of healing. Its forms vary in different tenses, reflecting its use in narratives about healing miracles. Below is a chart showing its full conjugation in the present tense:

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Lexicon Insights

BDAG: ἰάομαι is defined as “to heal” or “to cure,” often used in the New Testament to refer to physical healing but also metaphorically to spiritual restoration. BDAG emphasizes its use in the context of divine healing, particularly in the Gospels and Acts.

Thayers: Thayer’s lexicon explains ἰάομαι as “to heal” in both a literal and figurative sense. It discusses the verb’s usage for miraculous healings performed by Jesus and His disciples, highlighting its unique role in New Testament theology.

Vines: Vines Expository Dictionary describes ἰάομαι as “to heal” and distinguishes it from θεραπεύω by underscoring its connotation of supernatural intervention. It is often associated with faith and divine power.

LSJ: The LSJ lexicon lists ἰάομαι primarily in the sense of “to heal” or “to treat medically.” In classical Greek, it was used more broadly to denote curing or restoring, including both physical and psychological aspects.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s Concordance defines ἰάομαι as “to heal, generally referring to physical healing but sometimes implying spiritual healing.” It provides examples of the word’s usage in the New Testament, such as in the Gospels and Acts.

Related Scripture References

• Matthew 8:8: “But the centurion replied, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed [ἰαθήσεται].'”
• Luke 5:17: “On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal [ἰᾶσθαι].”
• Acts 9:34: “And Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals [ἰᾶταί] you; rise and make your bed.’ And immediately he rose.”

Classical Usage

The term ἰάομαι appears in various classical Greek works to denote healing or curing, often in both literal and metaphorical contexts. Below are examples from classical Greek literature and the Septuagint:

Summary of ἰάομαι (G2390)

The Greek word ἰάομαι (iaomai) is a verb primarily used to describe healing or curing, both in a physical and spiritual sense. It appears in numerous New Testament passages, emphasizing divine and miraculous healings performed by Jesus and His apostles. The word is deeply rooted in both classical Greek and Jewish literature, underscoring its importance in understanding ancient perspectives on healing. In the New Testament, ἰάομαι goes beyond mere physical restoration to encapsulate spiritual renewal and divine intervention, making it a critical term in biblical theology.

Did You Know?

• Did You Know? The term ἰάομαι appears over 25 times in the New Testament, mostly in contexts of miraculous healings performed by Jesus and His followers.
• Did You Know? The root word ἰατρός (iatros), from which ἰάομαι is derived, is the basis for the English word “iatric,” which relates to medical treatment and healing practices.

This comprehensive overview of ἰάομαι provides a window into the depth of meaning and significance that this Greek word holds within biblical texts and ancient literature.