Brief Overview of πίμπλημι (Strong’s G4130: pimplēmi)

Strong’s G4130: A verb meaning “to fill, fulfill, or complete.” In ancient Greek, it described both physical filling and metaphorical completion. In New Testament usage, it appears in contexts of divine fulfillment, particularly regarding prophecy, time, and spiritual filling.

U- Unveiling the Word

πίμπλημι represents complete filling or fulfillment, whether physical or spiritual. In the New Testament, it often appears in contexts of divine timing and spiritual fulfillment, particularly regarding prophecy and the Holy Spirit’s work. Early church fathers saw this term as significant in discussing both the fulfillment of God’s promises and the Spirit’s filling of believers. Today, it continues to speak to us about God’s perfect timing and complete work in both salvation history and individual lives.

N – Necessary Information

  • Greek Word: πίμπλημι, pimplēmi, /PIM-play-mee/
  • Detailed pronunciation: PIM-play-mee (emphasis on first syllable)
  • Part of Speech: Verb
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Etymology:

  • Root: πλη- (plē-) meaning “to fill”
  • Reduplication: πι- (pi-) indicating intensive action
  • Suffix: -μι (-mi) primary verb ending

D – Defining Meanings

  • To fill completely
  • To fulfill
  • To accomplish fully

For compound words: Not a compound word, but features reduplication for emphasis

Translation Options:

  • To fill – Basic physical meaning
  • To fulfill – Emphasizes completion
  • To accomplish – Captures goal achievement

E – Exploring Similar Words

  • πληρόω (plēroō) /play-RO-oh/ – to fill, complete
    See G4137
  • μεστόω (mestoō) /mes-TO-oh/ – to fill, particularly with contents
    See G3325

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Verb Features:

  • Tense: Present, Future, Aorist, Perfect
  • Voice: Active, Passive
  • Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive, Imperative
  • Person: First, Second, Third
  • Number: Singular, Plural

Examples:
Present: πίμπλημι (I fill)
Future: πλήσω (I will fill)
Aorist: ἔπλησα (I filled)
Perfect: πέπληκα (I have filled)

  • Cross-references to noun πλήρωμα and adjective πλήρης

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes both literal and metaphorical fulfillment. Thayer’s notes its use in divine timing contexts. LSJ documents extensive usage in completion contexts. Vine’s highlights its spiritual applications. Strong’s connects it to complete filling. LEH provides Septuagint usage in prophetic contexts. Moulton and Milligan cite examples of legal completion.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.” Matthew 22:10

Additional References:
Luke 1:15, Luke 1:23, Luke 1:41, Luke 1:57, Luke 1:67, Acts 2:4, Acts 4:8

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

Author: WorkText
Homer: Odyssey“The ship was filled with provisions for the journey”
Sophocles: Antigone“My heart is filled with grief at this fate”
Herodotus: Histories“When the time was fulfilled, the oracle’s words came true”

N – Noteworthy Summary

πίμπλημι reminds us that God accomplishes His purposes completely and at the perfect time. From the filling of the Spirit to the fulfillment of prophecy, this word speaks of God’s thorough work in salvation history and in our lives. It encourages us that what God begins, He brings to completion.

D – Did You Know?

  1. The reduplication in this verb emphasizes completeness of action.
  2. It appears frequently in Luke-Acts regarding Spirit-filling.
  3. Ancient Greek medical texts used it for complete healing.

Strong’s G4130: A verb denoting complete filling or fulfillment, used both literally and metaphorically. In New Testament usage, particularly significant in contexts of divine timing, prophetic fulfillment, and the Spirit’s work in believers.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: fulfillment, completion, Spirit filling, prophecy, divine timing, Luke-Acts, Holy Spirit, accomplishment, biblical Greek, completion, divine work, spiritual fullness​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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