Greek word · G1761

ἐνθύμησις

enthymēsis

reflection

The noun means a thought, reflection, idea or inward deliberation. Sometimes it means a mental design or invention (Acts 17:29, "human design"). The verb means to ponder, think something over, weigh, or form an intention.

Appears 4 times in 4 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἐνθύμησις, -εως, ἡ

(ἐνθυμέομαι), [in Sm.: Job 21:27, Ezekiel 11:21 * ;]

consideration, pondering (EV, device): Acts 17:29; pl., thoughts, feel­ings: Matthew 9:4 12:25, Hebrews 4:12.†

SYN.: ἔννοια, the action of the reason; while ἐνθ. is rather that of the affections (cf. Westc., Heb., l.with) (AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Matthew 9:4

Range of meaning

The noun means a thought, reflection, idea or inward deliberation. Sometimes it means a mental design or invention (Acts 17:29, "human design"). The verb means to ponder, think something over, weigh, or form an intention. The root is thumos, the inner seat of spirit and drive, so the words suggest something being turned over inwardly, not merely registered.

Against the English

English "thoughts" and "think" are accurate but flat. The Greek pictures sustained inner deliberation, people working out a verdict in silence. BSB's "harbor" catches the ongoing, cherished side well.

Used elsewhere in the period

Matthew uses the verb of Joseph in 1:20, who "pondered these things" before the angel's dream: the same activity, put to righteous use. Matthew 12:25 repeats the scene: "knowing their thoughts (enthumēseis)". Hebrews 4:12 calls God's word "a judge of the thoughts (enthumēseōn) and intentions of the heart", the same pairing of word and heart as here. 1 Chronicles 28:9 in the Greek Old Testament says the Lord searches every heart and knows every inward thought, with a related noun.

From the study of Matthew 12:25

Range of meaning

Inward reflection or pondering, a line of reasoning, an idea or design formed in the mind. It is built from en ('in') and thymos ('spirit, passion, inner self'), so it means what is turned over inside a person. It often carries a sense of intention or scheming.

Against the English

'Thoughts' (KJV, BSB, WEB, YLT) is broad enough to fit. Read lightly, though, it can suggest stray passing thoughts. The Greek points to deliberate inner reasoning and motive.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the NT it appears only in Matt 9:4 ('Why do you think [enthymeisthe] evil in your hearts?' said to scribes who privately accuse Jesus of blasphemy), here, Acts 17:29 (an idol shaped by 'human design', enthymēseōs anthrōpou) and Heb 4:12 (the word of God judges 'the reflections and intentions of the heart'). It is found in classical and Hellenistic Greek for considering or forming an idea (BDAG).

From the study of Acts 17:29

Range of meaning

From 'in the spirit/mind'. Meanings: thought, reflection, consideration, conception, inward deliberation, design.

Against the English

'Device' (KJV, YLT) in its older sense of 'devising, contrivance' is good. 'Design' (WEB) is good. 'Imagination' (BSB and others) is acceptable, but to modern ears it can sound like a compliment to creative genius rather than the plain point that a human mind thought it up.

Used elsewhere in the period

Matthew 9:4 and 12:25 (Jesus knows their 'thoughts'); Hebrews 4:12 ('thoughts and intentions of the heart'). In classical Greek it means reflection or deliberation (e.g. Thucydides).

Similar words

Where it appears

Matthew · 2

  1. Matthew 9:4 ἐνθυμήσεις thoughts

    But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Why do you harbor evil in your hearts?

    Here: The conclusions they were turning over inside, never said aloud. Verse 3 says they spoke "within themselves".

  2. Matthew 12:25 ἐνθυμήσεις thoughts

    Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.

    Here: The thinking they did inwardly, the motive and line of reasoning behind their public charge. It means more than passing thoughts. Matthew uses the same word in 9:4 for scribes 'thinking evil in your hearts.'

Acts · 1

  1. Acts 17:29 ἐνθυμήσεως imagination

    Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination.

    Here: The mental conception behind the statue, the sculptor's idea of what a god looks like. The image is only as big as the human mind that designed it.

Hebrews · 1

  1. Hebrews 4:12 ἐνθυμήσεων [the] thoughts

    For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

    Here: What a person turns over inwardly, their inner reasoning and musings. Jesus uses the word for the scribes' unspoken thoughts (Matt 9:4).

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.