3435. molunó

Lexicon

molunó: To defile, to stain, to pollute

Original Word: μολύνω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: molunó
Pronunciation: mo-loo'-no
Phonetic Spelling: (mol-oo'-no)
Definition: To defile, to stain, to pollute
Meaning: I soil, stain, pollute, defile, lit. and met.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

defile.

Probably from melas; to soil (figuratively) -- defile.

see GREEK melas

HELPS Word-studies

3435 molýnō – properly, to soil, make mucky (dirty); (figuratively) defile; (passive) become spiritually besmirched (soiled).

3435 /molýnō (literally "besmear with mud") is used of sin smearing a person with its spiritual filth. For the antonym of this term, see 2511 /katharízō ("to purge what is foul or polluted").

[3435 /molýnō used of "moral soil (smut)" that defouls and besmirches the soul (so also in Aristotle and Plato).]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of uncertain origin
Definition
to stain, defile
NASB Translation
defiled (2), soiled (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3435: μολύνω

μολύνω: 1 aorist active ἐμόλυνα; passive present μολύνομαι; 1 aorist ἐμολυνθην; from Aristophanes down; to pollute, stain, contaminate, defile; in the N. T. used only in symbolic and figurative discourse: οὐκ ἐμόλυναν τά ἱμάτια αὐτῶν, of those who have kept themselves pure from the defilement of sin, Revelation 3:4 (cf. Zechariah 3:3f); μετά γυναικῶν οὐκ ἐμολύνθησαν, who have not soiled themselves by fornication and adultery, Revelation 14:4; ἡ συνείδησις μολύνεται, of a conscience reproached (defiled) by sin, 1 Corinthians 8:7 (inexplebili quodam laedendi proposito conscientiam polluebat, Ammianus Marcellinus 15, 2; opposed to καθαρά συνείδησις, 1 Timothy 3:9; 2 Timothy 1:3; μολύνειν τήν ψυχήν, Sir. 21:28; but see μιαίνω, 2). (Synonym: see μιαίνω, at the end.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from a primary word μῶλος (mōlos), meaning "to soil" or "to stain."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H2930 טָמֵא (tame'): To be unclean, become impure. This Hebrew term is often used in the Old Testament to describe ceremonial and moral impurity, similar to the Greek concept of defilement.
• H1351 גָּאַל (ga'al): To defile, pollute, desecrate. This term is used to describe the act of making something unclean or profane, aligning with the Greek understanding of μολύνω.

These entries highlight the biblical emphasis on purity and the avoidance of defilement, both in the physical and spiritual realms, as part of a life dedicated to God.

Usage: The verb μολύνω is used in the New Testament to describe the act of defiling or polluting, often in a moral or spiritual sense. It conveys the idea of contamination or corruption, whether physical, ceremonial, or ethical.

Context: The term μολύνω appears in several New Testament passages, emphasizing the concept of defilement in various contexts. It is used to describe both physical and spiritual impurity, highlighting the importance of maintaining holiness and purity in the Christian life.

• 2 Corinthians 7:1 (BSB): "Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." Here, μολύνω is used to encourage believers to purify themselves from anything that contaminates their physical and spiritual lives, underscoring the call to holiness.

• Revelation 3:4 (BSB): "But you do have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments, and because they are worthy, they will walk with Me in white." In this passage, μολύνω is metaphorically used to describe the spiritual purity of the faithful in Sardis, contrasting them with those who have compromised their faith.

• Revelation 14:4 (BSB): "These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they are virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes." Here, μολύνω is used in a figurative sense to describe those who have remained spiritually pure and devoted to Christ.

The concept of defilement in the New Testament often extends beyond physical impurity to include moral and spiritual corruption. The use of μολύνω serves as a reminder of the call to live a life set apart for God, avoiding anything that might compromise one's spiritual integrity.

Forms and Transliterations

εμολυναν εμόλυναν ἐμόλυναν εμολύνατε εμολυνθησαν εμολύνθησαν ἐμολύνθησαν μεμολυμμένα μεμολυσμέναι μολυνεται μολύνεται μολυνθήσονται μολυνώ emolunan emolunthesan emolunthēsan emolynan emólynan emolynthesan emolynthēsan emolýnthesan emolýnthēsan molunetai molynetai molýnetai

Englishman's Concordance

1 Corinthians 8:7 V-PIM/P-3S
GRK: ἀσθενὴς οὖσα μολύνεται
NAS: being weak is defiled.
KJV: being weak is defiled.
INT: weak being is defiled

Revelation 3:4 V-AIA-3P
GRK: ἃ οὐκ ἐμόλυναν τὰ ἱμάτια
NAS: who have not soiled their garments;
KJV: have not defiled their garments;
INT: which not soiled the garments

Revelation 14:4 V-AIP-3P
GRK: γυναικῶν οὐκ ἐμολύνθησαν παρθένοι γάρ
NAS: These are the ones who have not been defiled with women,
KJV: were not defiled with women;
INT: women not were soiled pure indeed

Strong's Greek 3435
3 Occurrences

ἐμόλυναν — 1 Occ.
ἐμολύνθησαν — 1 Occ.
μολύνεται — 1 Occ.