Greek word · G2059

ἑρμηνεύω

hermēneuō

to interpret

To explain or interpret, and especially to translate from one language into another (BDAG). In the New Testament it introduces the meaning of foreign names and words: John 1:42 ('Cephas, which is translated Peter'), John 9:7 ('Siloam, which means Sent').

Appears 3 times in 3 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἑρμηνεύω

[in LXX: Esther 4:7 (תִּרְגַּם), Esther 10:3 Job 42:17β* ;]

1. to explain.

2. to interpret: Luke 24:27 (WH, mg.), John 1:39, 43 9:7, Hebrews 7:2.†

(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 Hebrews 7:2

Range of meaning

To explain or interpret, and especially to translate from one language into another (BDAG). In the New Testament it introduces the meaning of foreign names and words: John 1:42 ('Cephas, which is translated Peter'), John 9:7 ('Siloam, which means Sent').

Against the English

KJV and WEB: 'by interpretation'. YLT: 'being interpreted'. BSB and NIV: 'his name means'. All are accurate. The modern versions make it explicit that the author is translating a name.

Used elsewhere in the period

Explaining names was standard practice among Greek-speaking Jews. Philo of Alexandria interprets dozens of biblical names allegorically. Lists of Hebrew names with their meanings (onomastica) circulated in this period. Both Philo (Allegorical Interpretation 3.79) and Josephus (Antiquities 1.180; Jewish War 6.438) explain Melchizedek's name as 'righteous king', and Philo explains Salem as 'peace'.

Similar words

Where it appears

John · 2

  1. John 1:42 ἑρμηνεύεται means

    Andrew brought him to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated as Peter).

    Here: The Gospel writer's note for Greek-speaking readers. It is the third such translation in a few verses (Rabbi in v. 38, Messiah in v. 41, now Cephas).

  2. John 9:7 ἑρμηνεύεται means

    Then He told him, “Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came back seeing.

    Here: 'Is translated.' The Gospel writer steps outside the story to give the Hebrew name's meaning for Greek-speaking readers, as he does with Rabbi (1:38), Messiah (1:41) and Cephas (1:42). These asides point the reader to something they should notice.

Hebrews · 1

  1. Hebrews 7:2 ἑρμηνευόμενος being translated

    and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness.” Then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.”

    Here: "Being translated": when his Hebrew name is turned into Greek, it comes out as 'king of righteousness'. The author is arguing from what the name means, a familiar method in Jewish interpretation.

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