4591. sémainó

Lexicon

sémainó: To signify, to indicate, to make known

Original Word: σημαίνω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: sémainó
Pronunciation: say-MY-no
Phonetic Spelling: (say-mah'-ee-no)
Definition: To signify, to indicate, to make known
Meaning: I signify, indicate, give a sign, make known.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

signify.

From sema (a mark; of uncertain derivation); to indicate -- signify.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from séma (a sign, mark)
Definition
to give a sign
NASB Translation
communicated (1), indicate (3), signifying (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4591: σημαίνω

σημαίνω; imperfect ἐσήμαινον (Acts 11:28 L WH text); 1 aorist ἐσημανα, for ἐσήμηνα which is the more common form in the earlier and more elegant Greek writings (see Matthiae, § 185; Kühner, § 343, under the word; (Veitch, under the word); Lob. ad Phryn., p. 24f; Winers Grammar, § 15, under the word; Buttmann, 41 (35)); (from σῆμα a sign); from (Homer), Aeschylus, Herodotus down; to give a sign, to signify, indicate: τί, Acts 25:27; followed by indirect discourse, John 12:33; John 18:32; John 21:19; equivalent to to make known: absolutely Revelation 1:1; followed by the accusative with an infinitive Acts 11:28.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from σῆμα (sēma), meaning "a sign" or "a mark."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for σημαίνω, the concept of signifying or indicating through signs can be related to several Hebrew terms that convey similar meanings, such as:

• אוֹת (oth) • Strong's Hebrew 226: A sign, token, or mark.
• נָגַד (nagad) • Strong's Hebrew 5046: To make known, declare, or announce.

These Hebrew terms, like σημαίνω, are often used in contexts where God communicates His will or reveals future events through signs or prophetic messages.

Usage: The verb σημαίνω is used in the New Testament to denote the act of indicating or signifying something, often through a sign or symbol. It is used in contexts where a deeper meaning or revelation is being communicated.

Context: The Greek verb σημαίνω appears in several key passages in the New Testament, where it is used to convey the act of signifying or indicating something of importance. This term is often employed in contexts where a revelation or prophecy is being communicated, suggesting a deeper or hidden meaning that is being unveiled.

In the Gospel of John, σημαίνω is used to describe how Jesus indicated the manner of His death. For example, in John 12:33, it is written, "He said this to indicate the kind of death He was going to die" (BSB). Here, σημαίνω is used to convey the prophetic nature of Jesus' words, pointing to the crucifixion.

Similarly, in John 21:19, the term is used again: "Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God" (BSB). In this instance, σημαίνω is employed to reveal the future martyrdom of Peter, signifying the manner in which he would honor God through his death.

The use of σημαίνω in the Book of Acts also highlights its function in conveying divine revelation. In Acts 11:28, the prophet Agabus "indicated by the Spirit that a great famine would sweep across the entire Roman world" (BSB). Here, σημαίνω is used to describe the prophetic announcement made through the Holy Spirit, signifying an impending event.

Overall, σημαίνω is a term that underscores the communication of significant truths or events, often with a prophetic or revelatory aspect. It is a word that invites the reader to look beyond the surface and discern the deeper meaning being conveyed.

Forms and Transliterations

εσημαινεν ἐσήμαινεν εσήμαναν εσήμανε εσήμανεν ἐσήμανεν σημαίνει σημαίνειν σημαινέτωσαν σημαινούσης σημαινων σημαίνων σημαναι σημάναι σημᾶναι σημάνατε σημανείς σημανείτε σημανή σημάνη σημανώ σημάνωσιν σημασία σημασίαν σημασίας σημασιών esemanen esēmanen esḗmanen semainon semaínon sēmainōn sēmaínōn semanai semânai sēmanai sēmânai

Englishman's Concordance

John 12:33 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: δὲ ἔλεγεν σημαίνων ποίῳ θανάτῳ
NAS: this to indicate the kind
KJV: This he said, signifying what death
INT: moreover he said signifying by what [kind of] death

John 18:32 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: ὃν εἶπεν σημαίνων ποίῳ θανάτῳ
NAS: He spoke, signifying by what kind
KJV: which he spake, signifying what death
INT: which he spoke signifying by what death

John 21:19 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: δὲ εἶπεν σημαίνων ποίῳ θανάτῳ
NAS: He said, signifying by what kind
KJV: spake he, signifying by what
INT: moreover he said signifying by what death

Acts 11:28 V-IIA-3S
GRK: ὀνόματι Ἄγαβος ἐσήμανεν διὰ τοῦ
NAS: stood up and [began] to indicate by the Spirit
KJV: Agabus, and signified by
INT: by name Agabus he signified by the

Acts 25:27 V-ANA
GRK: αὐτοῦ αἰτίας σημᾶναι
NAS: a prisoner, not to indicate also
KJV: not withal to signify the crimes
INT: him charges to signify

Revelation 1:1 V-AIA-3S
GRK: τάχει καὶ ἐσήμανεν ἀποστείλας διὰ
NAS: and He sent and communicated [it] by His angel
KJV: and he sent and signified [it] by his
INT: quickness and he signified [it] having sent by

Strong's Greek 4591
6 Occurrences

ἐσήμανεν — 2 Occ.
σημαίνων — 3 Occ.
σημᾶναι — 1 Occ.