Strong's Greek: 4483ῥέω, () -- To flow, to speak, to say

Lexical Summary

rheō: To flow, to speak, to say

Original Word: ῥέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: rheō
Pronunciation: hreh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (hreh'-o)
KJV: command, make, say, speak (of)
Word Origin: [perhaps akin (or identical) with G4482 (ῥέω - flow) (through the idea of pouring forth)]

1. to utter, i.e. speak or say

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

command, make, say, speak of.

For certain tenses of which a prolonged form ereo (er-eh'-o) is used; and both as alternate for epo; perhaps akin (or identical) with rheo (through the idea of pouring forth); to utter, i.e. Speak or say -- command, make, say, speak (of). Compare lego.

see GREEK epo

see GREEK rheo

see GREEK lego

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4483: Ρ᾽ΑΩ

Ρ᾽ΑΩ, see εἶπον.

Topical Lexicon

Linguistic Background

ῥέω originally meant “to flow,” and by classical times had extended to the idea of words “flowing” from the mouth—an utterance. In Koine Greek it serves as the verbal root behind the second-aorist forms εἶπον / εἶπεν (“I said / he said”), the perfect passive participle ῥηθέν (“having been spoken”), and the noun ῥῆμα (“word, spoken saying”). Although the lexical form ῥέω does not occur in the Greek New Testament, its derived forms are among the most common verbs of speech in Scripture, carrying the sense of a decisive, often authoritative pronouncement.

Relation to Other Verbs of Speech

• λέγω highlights structured discourse or logical content.
• λαλέω emphasizes the act of talking or conversing.
• φημί stresses declaration or affirmation.
• ῥέω (via εἶπον, ῥηθέν, ῥῆμα) focuses on the event of the utterance itself—words as a concrete, authoritative act that moves history forward.

Old Testament (Septuagint) Usage

The Septuagint regularly renders Hebrew אָמַר (“to say”) with εἶπεν. Thus in Genesis 1 every creative fiat—“And God said”—is a form of ῥέω, underscoring that the universe was called into existence by divine speech. The prophetic formula “Thus says the LORD” (e.g., Jeremiah 2:2) also uses this root, lending weight to later New Testament claims that “no prophecy was ever brought about by the will of man” (2 Peter 1:21).

Derived Forms in the New Testament

1. Creative and sustaining speech

• Hebrews 11:3 “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command (ῥήματι Θεοῦ).”
2. Incarnational speech

• John records over 1,400 uses of εἶπεν, emphasizing that the incarnate Son continually “said” what He heard from the Father (John 12:50).
3. Authoritative promises

• Luke 1:45 “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.”
4. The preached Gospel

• Romans 10:17 “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”
5. Prophetic fulfillment

• Matthew frequently uses ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθέν (“so that what was spoken might be fulfilled”) to connect Old-Testament utterances with New-Testament events (Matthew 2:15; 8:17; 12:17).

Theology of the Spoken Word

• Creatio ex nihilo – God’s speech is efficacious; what He says becomes reality.
• Revelation – From Sinai to the Sermon on the Mount, divine truth is delivered through spoken declaration.
• Covenant – Promises are verbal commitments; their reliability rests on the character of the Speaker (Hebrews 6:17-18).
• Judgment and Salvation – “By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37).
• Means of grace – The ῥῆμα of Christ, heard in preaching and Scripture reading, is the primary instrument the Spirit uses to create and sustain faith (Ephesians 6:17).

Christological Focus

Jesus is both Speaker and Speech. He pre-exists as the eternal Λόγος (John 1:1) and, during His earthly ministry, continually utters Spirit-charged ῥήματα (John 6:63). His “Truly, truly, I say to you” announcements reflect the highest possible authority, equating His voice with that of Yahweh in the Old Testament.

Pastoral and Ministry Implications

• Preaching – The mandate “Preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2) calls ministers to deliver God’s ῥήμα, not human opinion.
• Teaching and Counsel – Effective discipleship depends on accurately conveying what God has said; the counselor’s power lies in Scripture rightly applied.
• Evangelism – Salvation comes as people hear Christ’s spoken message; therefore, proclamation is indispensable (Romans 10:14-15).
• Corporate Worship – Public reading of Scripture (1 Timothy 4:13) reenacts the prophetic pattern: God speaks, His people listen and respond in faith.

Historical Reflection

Early church fathers (e.g., Irenaeus, Athanasius) highlighted the creative and redemptive power of divine speech, while the Reformers insisted that Scripture is the viva vox Dei—the living voice of God. The church’s confessions consistently affirm that what God has “spoken” stands above all ecclesiastical tradition.

Key Texts for Study

Genesis 1:3; Deuteronomy 8:3; Psalm 33:6; Isaiah 55:11; Matthew 4:4; Luke 1:38; John 6:63; Romans 10:8-17; Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 1:1-3; Hebrews 11:3; 1 Peter 1:25.

Summary

Though ῥέω never appears in its lexical form within the New Testament, its derivatives dominate the narrative of redemption from creation to consummation. God’s spoken word initiates history, sustains faith, and will one day pronounce final judgment. Therefore, every generation of believers is called to hear, trust, and proclaim what God has said.

Forms and Transliterations

ερρέθη ερρέθησαν ρηθείς ρηθεν ρηθέν ῥηθὲν rethen rēthen rhethen rhethèn rhēthen rhēthèn

Links

Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts