Greek word · G2058

ἑρμηνεία

hermēneia

interpretation

Hermēneia means expression, explanation, interpretation or translation. The related verbs hermēneuō and diermēneuō are used for translating from one language into another (John 1:42; 9:7; Heb 7:2) and for explaining meaning (Luke 24:27).

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἑρμηνεία, see: ἑρμηνία.

ἑρμηνία (T, cl., -εία), -ας, ἡ,

(ἑρμηνεύω), [in LXX (-εία), Sir, prol. 14 Sirach 47:17, from LXX Sirach 5:1 * ;]

interpretation: 1 Corinthians 12:10 14:26.†

(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 1 Corinthians 12:10

Range of meaning

Hermēneia means expression, explanation, interpretation or translation. The related verbs hermēneuō and diermēneuō are used for translating from one language into another (John 1:42; 9:7; Heb 7:2) and for explaining meaning (Luke 24:27).

Against the English

Nearly every version has "interpretation of tongues". WEB has "interpretation of languages". NLT has "the ability to interpret what is being said". "Interpretation" may suggest giving a loose sense of the content, while "translation" may suggest word-for-word rendering. The Greek covers both and does not settle which is meant.

Used elsewhere in the period

Philo calls prophets "interpreters" (hermēneis) of God. In Plato's account of Greek oracles (Timaeus 72b), the people who interpret inspired speech form a separate group from the inspired speakers.

From the study of 1 Corinthians 14:26

Range of meaning

Interpretation, translation, explanation; putting something into understandable words. It is related to 'hermeneutics'.

Against the English

All versions say 'interpretation'. That is accurate, though the English word might suggest scholarly analysis rather than a gift that makes unknown speech understandable.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used in Greek for translating from one language to another (for example the prologue of Sirach, where the cognate verb is used for translating Hebrew into Greek). 1 Cor 12:10 lists 'interpretation of tongues' as one of the Spirit's gifts. In 14:5 and 14:13 Paul urges tongue-speakers to pray for the power to interpret.

Similar words

Where it appears

1 Corinthians · 2

  1. 1 Corinthians 12:10 ἑρμηνεία interpretation

    to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.

    Here: Putting into understandable words what was spoken in a tongue. In ordinary Greek the word covers both translating and explaining.

  2. 1 Corinthians 14:26 ἑρμηνείαν an interpretation

    What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.

    Here: The gift of putting speech in tongues into words the assembly understands (12:10). Paul makes it a condition for tongues being spoken aloud (14:27–28).

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