Pronunciation Guide: ah-KOO-oh

Basic Definition

Strong’s G191: ἀκούω (akouō) fundamentally means “to hear” or “to listen,” but extends far beyond mere auditory perception. In biblical usage, it often carries the deeper connotation of understanding, paying attention to, and responding to what is heard. This word implies both the physical act of hearing and the mental process of comprehending, often with an expectation of obedient response.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root: Proto-Indo-European *keu- (“to perceive, feel”)
• Primary Usage: Narrative, teaching passages, prophecy, and epistolary literature
• Voice: Active, Passive, Middle
• Tense: Present, Imperfect, Future, Aorist, Perfect

ἀκούω Morphology:

• ἀκούω (present active indicative) – I hear/am hearing
• ἀκούσω (future active indicative) – I will hear
• ἤκουσα (aorist active indicative) – I heard
• ἀκήκοα (perfect active indicative) – I have heard
• ἀκουσθήσεται (future passive indicative) – it will be heard
• ἀκούσας (aorist active participle) – having heard
• ἀκούσατε (aorist active imperative) – hear!/listen!

Origin & History

The word ἀκούω has deep roots in classical Greek literature, appearing prominently in works as early as Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey. In these epic works, it often carried the dual meaning of both physical hearing and mental understanding, as when the gods would “hear” the prayers of mortals and respond accordingly.

In classical Greek philosophy, particularly in Plato’s dialogues, ἀκούω took on additional intellectual dimensions. In the “Republic,” Plato uses the term to describe not just physical hearing but the process of learning and understanding through oral instruction, establishing a connection between hearing and wisdom that would later influence biblical usage.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To physically hear or perceive sound
• To understand or comprehend what is heard
• To learn through hearing or oral instruction
• To hear and obey, implying responsive action
• To pay attention to or give heed to something

ἀκούω Translation Options:

• “to hear” – when referring to physical auditory perception
• “to listen” – when emphasizing attention and focus
• “to heed” – when implying obedience or response
• “to understand” – when focusing on comprehension
• “to learn” – when in an educational context

Biblical Usage

The first appearance of ἀκούω in Matthew 2:3 sets a significant tone for its usage throughout the New Testament, where “When King Herod heard this.” This initial usage demonstrates how hearing often precipitates action in biblical narrative.

In the Gospels, Jesus frequently uses the phrase “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (ὁ ἔχων ὦτα ἀκούειν ἀκουέτω), emphasizing that true hearing involves understanding and response. This pattern continues throughout the New Testament, where ἀκούω often implies not just auditory perception but responsive faith.

The Septuagint uses ἀκούω to translate the Hebrew שָׁמַע (shama), most famously in the Shema of Deuteronomy 6:4, connecting hearing with obedience and covenant faithfulness.

• “When King Herod heard [ἀκούσας] this” – Matthew 2:3
• “He who has ears to hear, let him hear [ἀκουέτω]” – Matthew 11:15
• “Faith comes by hearing [ἀκοῆς], and hearing by the word of God” – Romans 10:17
• “Today if you hear [ἀκούσητε] His voice” – Hebrews 3:7
• “Be swift to hear [ἀκοῦσαι], slow to speak” – James 1:19

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish culture, hearing was intimately connected with obedience. The Hebrew word שָׁמַע (shama), which ἀκούω often translates in the Septuagint, forms the foundation of Jewish faith in the Shema prayer. This connection between hearing and obedience was so strong that in both Hebrew and Greek biblical usage, there was often no distinction between hearing and obeying – they were seen as two aspects of the same action.

The Jewish concept of learning was primarily oral, with students literally “sitting at the feet” of their rabbi to hear and memorize their teaching. This cultural context illuminates why ἀκούω appears so frequently in descriptions of Jesus’ teaching ministry and why the early church placed such emphasis on hearing the word preached.

Theological Significance

The theological implications of ἀκούω are profound, particularly in understanding divine revelation and human response. God is portrayed as One who both speaks and hears – He hears the prayers of His people (Psalm 34:17) and speaks His word for them to hear (Hebrews 1:1-2).

In the New Testament, ἀκούω plays a crucial role in the theology of salvation. As Paul declares in Romans 10:17, faith comes by hearing the word of God. This establishes hearing as a fundamental channel of divine grace, through which the Holy Spirit works to bring about faith and transformation in believers.

The Messiah Jesus frequently connected proper hearing with spiritual understanding and discipleship, using the refrain “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” to indicate that spiritual truth requires more than physical hearing – it demands spiritual receptivity and responsive obedience.

Personal Application

True biblical hearing challenges us to move beyond passive reception to active engagement with God’s Word. When we understand ἀκούω in its full biblical sense, we realize that every time we hear God’s Word – whether read, preached, or studied – we’re called to respond with understanding, faith, and obedience.

This understanding should transform our approach to Scripture reading, prayer, and corporate worship. Rather than merely absorbing information, we’re called to listen with an expectation of encounter and a readiness to respond to what the Holy Spirit reveals.

Related Words

• ἀκοή (akoē) – hearing, the act of hearing, report – See G189
• ὑπακούω (hypakouō) – to listen and obey, submit to – See G5219
• παρακούω (parakouō) – to hear incorrectly, to disobey – See G3878
• εἰσακούω (eisakouō) – to hear and respond, answer prayer – See G1522

Did you Know?

• In modern Greek, ἀκούω is still used commonly today, appearing in everyday phrases like ἄκου να δεις (“listen and see” – meaning “you won’t believe this”), showing how the word maintains its connection between hearing and understanding.
• The English word “acoustic” derives from ἀκούω, preserving the ancient Greek connection to sound and hearing in modern scientific terminology.
• The imperative form ἄκουε (“listen!”) was a common command in ancient Greek classrooms, showing how the word connected hearing with learning and discipleship from classical times through the New Testament era.

Remember This

True biblical hearing (ἀκούω) is a transformative act where physical hearing meets spiritual understanding, leading to faithful obedience in response to God’s voice.