Greek word · G3377

μηνύω

mēnyō

to disclose

To make known, disclose, or report, especially something private, hidden, or not yet public. It was often used of informers (BDAG: 'make known something private or secret, reveal, disclose, inform').

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

What it means

μηνύω

[in LXX: 2Ma.3:7 2Mac 6:11 2Mac 14:37, 3Ma.3:28, 4Ma.4:3 * ;]

to disclose, declare, make known: Luke 20:37, 1 Corinthians 10:28; in forensic sense, to inform, report: John 11:57; pass., with dative of person(s), Acts 23:30.†

(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 Luke 20:37

Range of meaning

To make known, disclose, or report, especially something private, hidden, or not yet public. It was often used of informers (BDAG: 'make known something private or secret, reveal, disclose, inform').

Against the English

KJV and WEB 'showed,' BSB 'demonstrates,' and NLT 'proved' all sound stronger and more explicit than the Greek. The verb suggests Moses revealed something that lay beneath the surface of the text.

Used elsewhere in the period

Elsewhere in the New Testament: John 11:57 (anyone who knew where Jesus was should report it), Acts 23:30 (Lysias was informed of a plot), 1 Corinthians 10:28 (someone points out that meat was offered to idols). In classical Greek a mēnutēs was an informer.

From the study of 1 Corinthians 10:28

Range of meaning

To make known, disclose, point out, report. In classical Greek it is often used of giving information to authorities; a mēnytēs was an informer. It does not have to be hostile. It simply marks information that was hidden or not obvious being brought into the open.

Against the English

BSB and WEB have "the one who told you" (accurate but flat). KJV and YLT have "that shewed it." Other modern versions have "informed you" (closer to the force of the word).

Used elsewhere in the period

In the New Testament: Luke 20:37 (Moses "showed" that the dead are raised), John 11:57 (anyone who knew where Jesus was should "report it"), Acts 23:30 (a plot was "disclosed" to the tribune). In the papyri and classical prose it is common for laying information.

From the study of John 11:57

Range of meaning

To make known, disclose or reveal. In legal and official settings it means to report or inform, that is, to lay information before an authority. Related nouns: mēnysis ('information laid') and mēnytēs ('informer').

Against the English

BSB, WEB and NASB 'report it'; KJV and YLT 'shew [it]'; ESV 'let them know'. 'Report' is accurate. The KJV's 'shew' is now archaic and loses the official, police-like feel.

How it drifted

The KJV's 'shew' once meant 'disclose' or 'make known'. A modern reader may hear something weaker, like 'point out'.

Used elsewhere in the period

In classical Athens the word is used for informers who came forward in criminal cases. Thucydides' account of the mutilation of the Herms in 415 BC (6.27–28) uses mēnytai for informers, who were offered rewards. In the NT: Acts 23:30 ('when it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot'); 1 Cor 10:28 ('the one who informed you'); and in a broader sense Luke 20:37 (Moses 'showed' that the dead are raised). Per BDAG it can mean 'make known' generally, or 'report, inform' to officials.

Where it appears

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 20:37 ἐμήνυσεν showed

    Even Moses demonstrates that the dead are raised, in the passage about the burning bush. For he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’

    Here: 'Disclosed' or 'indicated.' The word is used for bringing something hidden into the open, like informing on someone or revealing a secret. Moses never wrote 'the dead will rise' in so many words. He let it be known by implication.

John · 1

  1. John 11:57 μηνύσῃ, he shall show [it],

    But the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that anyone who knew where He was must report it, so that they could arrest Him.

    Here: The ordinary word for bringing information to the authorities, sometimes used of an informer reporting someone. The order turns the public into potential informants.

Acts · 1

  1. Acts 23:30 μηνυθείσης When was being disclosed

    When I was informed that there was a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also instructed his accusers to present their case against him before you.

1 Corinthians · 1

  1. 1 Corinthians 10:28 μηνύσαντα having shown [it]

    But if someone tells you, “This food was offered to idols,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience—

    Here: "The one who pointed it out" or "tipped you off." The word means passing on information that was not obvious. The speaker has made public something that would otherwise have gone unnoticed.

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