Greek word · G3888

παραμυθέομαι

paramytheomai

to encourage

Literally "to speak alongside," from para (beside) and mythos (word, speech). It means to speak soothingly to, console, comfort or encourage someone, especially in grief or discouragement. It is the standard Greek word for consoling the bereaved.

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

What it means

παρα-μυθέομαι, -οῦμαι

[in LXX: 2Ma.15:9 (Sm. 8)* ;]

1. to en­courage, exhort.

2. to comfort, console: with accusative of person(s), John 11:31, 1 Thessalonians 2:11 5:14; id. before περί, John 11:19.†

SYN.: παρακαλέω (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 John 11:19

Range of meaning

Literally "to speak alongside," from para (beside) and mythos (word, speech). It means to speak soothingly to, console, comfort or encourage someone, especially in grief or discouragement. It is the standard Greek word for consoling the bereaved.

Against the English

"Console" (BSB, WEB, ESV) and "comfort" (KJV, YLT, NIV) both fit. The Greek word leans toward comfort given through words spoken in person. It is not just a feeling of sympathy.

Used elsewhere in the period

Greek writings of consolation were called paramythētikos logos ("a speech of consolation"). Plutarch's Consolation to Apollonius (Paramythētikos pros Apollōnion) and his Consolation to His Wife both use the term. In the Septuagint, 2 Maccabees 15:9 has Judas "encouraging them from the Law and the Prophets." Wisdom 3:18 uses the related noun when it says the ungodly will have no "consolation" on the day of judgment. Paul uses the word in 1 Thessalonians 2:12 and 5:14 ("encourage the fainthearted").

From the study of John 11:31

Range of meaning

To speak to someone in a soothing or encouraging way. It means to console, to cheer up, or to urge on gently. The root sense is 'to talk alongside': words that calm and steady someone.

Against the English

'Consoling' (BSB, WEB) and 'comforted' (KJV) are accurate. English 'comfort' can sound like a private feeling. Here it is a social act: being present with someone and talking with them during the formal mourning period.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used in the LXX at 2 Maccabees 15:9 (encouraging troops). In Paul at 1 Thess 2:12 and 5:14 ('encourage the fainthearted'). In Greek letters of condolence, related words (paramythia) are standard. Jewish practice treated comforting mourners as a work of loving-kindness; later rabbinic texts make this explicit.

Similar words

Where it appears

John · 2

  1. John 11:19 παραμυθήσωνται they may console

    and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them in the loss of their brother.

    Here: To console with words and presence. This was the ordinary act of a condolence visit: speaking gently to the grieving and helping them bear the loss.

  2. John 11:31 παραμυθούμενοι consoling

    When the Jews who were in the house consoling Mary saw how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.

    Here: Present participle: they were in the middle of comforting her. They spoke soothing words and sat with her in her grief, a recognised social duty to the bereaved.

1 Thessalonians · 1

  1. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 παραμυθεῖσθε do encourage

    And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.

    Here: To speak soothing, heartening words to someone, especially in grief or discouragement. In John 11:19, 31 it describes friends consoling Martha and Mary after Lazarus died. Present-tense command: keep doing it.

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