3199. meló

Lexicon

meló: To care, to be concerned, to take thought

Original Word: μέλω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: meló
Pronunciation: meh'-lo
Phonetic Spelling: (mel'-o)
Definition: To care, to be concerned, to take thought
Meaning: it is a care, it is an object of anxiety, it concerns.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

take care.

A primary verb; to be of interest to, i.e. To concern (only third person singular present indicative used impersonally, it matters) -- (take) care.

HELPS Word-studies

3199 mélō (the third person singular of melō, "to care, be concerned") – to care about (be concerned with), especially paying attention (giving thought) to – i.e. "taking an interest" (L-S) with the "implication of some apprehension . . . " (L & N, 1, 25.223.)

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. verb
Definition
to be an object of care
NASB Translation
care (2), cares (1), concerned (4), defer (2), worry (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3199: μέλει

μέλει, 3 person singular present of μέλω used impersonally; imperfect ἔμελεν; it is a care: τίνι, to one; as in Greek writings with the nominative of the thing, οὐδέν τούτων, Acts 18:17; with the genitive of the thing (as often in Attic), μή τῶν βοῶν μέλει τῷ Θεῷ; 1 Corinthians 9:9 (Buttmann, § 132, 15; cf. Winer's Grammar, 595 (554)); the thing which is a care to one, or about which he is solicitous, is evident from the context, 1 Corinthians 7:21; περί τίνος, genitive of object, to care about, have regard for, a person or a thing: Matthew 22:16; Mark 12:14; John 10:13; John 12:6; 1 Peter 5:7, (Herodotus 6, 101; Xenophon, mem. 3, 6, 10; Cyril 4, 5, 17; Hier. 9, 10; 1 Macc. 14:43; Wis. 12:13; Epistle of Barnabas 1, 5 [ET]; cf. Winer's Grammar, § 30, 10 d.); followed by ὅτι, Mark 4:38; Luke 10:40.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: A primary verb

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for μέλω, the concept of care and concern is reflected in several Hebrew terms, such as:

• Strong's Hebrew 6485 (פָּקַד, paqad): Often translated as "to attend to" or "to care for," used in contexts of divine oversight or visitation.
• Strong's Hebrew 3045 (יָדַע, yada): Meaning "to know," which can imply a deep, caring knowledge or concern, as seen in God's intimate knowledge of His people.

These Hebrew terms, while not direct translations, capture similar themes of care and concern found in the Greek μέλω.

Usage: The verb μέλω is used in the New Testament to express the idea of concern or care, often in the context of God's care for His people or the lack of concern shown by individuals.

Context: The Greek verb μέλω (melō) appears in several New Testament passages, conveying the concept of care or concern. It is often used to describe the attention or interest one has in a particular matter or person. This term is significant in understanding the relational dynamics between God and humanity, as well as interpersonal relationships among individuals.

In the New Testament, μέλω is used to illustrate both divine and human concern. For instance, in 1 Peter 5:7, believers are encouraged to cast all their anxieties on God because He cares for them: "Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." This passage highlights the comforting assurance of God's attentive care for His people.

Another notable usage is found in Mark 4:38, where the disciples question Jesus during a storm: "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" Here, μέλω is used to express the disciples' concern about Jesus' apparent lack of concern for their dire situation, which is later addressed by His calming of the storm, demonstrating His ultimate care and authority.

The verb also appears in contexts where a lack of concern is evident, such as in John 10:13, where the hired hand is described as not caring for the sheep: "The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep." This contrasts with the Good Shepherd, who genuinely cares for His flock.

Overall, μέλω underscores the importance of genuine concern and care, whether it be God's unwavering care for humanity or the expected care individuals should have for one another.

Forms and Transliterations

εμελεν ἔμελεν έμελλεν μελει μέλει μελετω μελέτω emelen émelen melei mélei meleto meletō meléto melétō

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 22:16 V-PIA-3S
GRK: καὶ οὐ μέλει σοι περὶ
NAS: in truth, and defer to no one;
KJV: neither carest thou for
INT: and not there is care to you about

Mark 4:38 V-PIA-3S
GRK: Διδάσκαλε οὐ μέλει σοι ὅτι
NAS: to Him, Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?
KJV: unto him, Master, carest thou not
INT: Teacher not is it concern to you that

Mark 12:14 V-PIA-3S
GRK: καὶ οὐ μέλει σοι περὶ
NAS: that You are truthful and defer to no one;
INT: and not there is care to you about

Luke 10:40 V-PIA-3S
GRK: Κύριε οὐ μέλει σοι ὅτι
NAS: Lord, do You not care that my sister
KJV: thou not care that my
INT: Lord not is it concern to you that

John 10:13 V-PIA-3S
GRK: καὶ οὐ μέλει αὐτῷ περὶ
NAS: he is a hired hand and is not concerned about
KJV: an hireling, and careth not for
INT: and not is himself concerned to him about

John 12:6 V-IIA-3S
GRK: τῶν πτωχῶν ἔμελεν αὐτῷ ἀλλ'
NAS: not because he was concerned about
KJV: that he cared for the poor;
INT: the poor he was caring to him but

Acts 18:17 V-IIA-3S
GRK: τῷ Γαλλίωνι ἔμελεν
NAS: But Gallio was not concerned about any
KJV: Gallio cared for none
INT: to Gallio it mattered

1 Corinthians 7:21 V-PMA-3S
GRK: μή σοι μελέτω ἀλλ' εἰ
NAS: while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if
KJV: care not for it: but if
INT: not to you let it be a care but if

1 Corinthians 9:9 V-PIA-3S
GRK: τῶν βοῶν μέλει τῷ θεῷ
NAS: God is not concerned about oxen,
KJV: Doth God take care for oxen?
INT: For the oxen is there care with God

1 Peter 5:7 V-PIA-3S
GRK: ὅτι αὐτῷ μέλει περὶ ὑμῶν
NAS: on Him, because He cares for you.
KJV: for he careth for you.
INT: because with him there is care about you

Strong's Greek 3199
10 Occurrences

ἔμελεν — 2 Occ.
μέλει — 7 Occ.
μελέτω — 1 Occ.