4591. sémainó

Lexical Summary

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)
KJV: signify
NASB: indicate, signifying, communicated
Word Origin: [from sema (a mark]

1. to indicate

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

Overview

Strong’s Greek 4591 captures the idea of making something known by means of a sign or indication. It occurs only six times in the New Testament, yet in those few appearances it frames some of the Bible’s most decisive moments of revelation, warning, and apostolic direction.

Prophetic Disclosure (Revelation 1:1; Acts 11:28)

Revelation opens with the declaration that Jesus “made it known by sending His angel to His servant John” (Revelation 1:1). The verb underlines that the entire Apocalypse is a divinely authorized disclosure. The same prophetic note sounds in Acts 11:28 when Agabus “predicted through the Spirit that a great famine would sweep across the whole world.” In each case God graciously alerts His people to what lies ahead, proving both His sovereignty over history and His care for the church’s preparedness.

Christological Predictions of Death (John 12:33; John 18:32; John 21:19)

Three Johannine passages center on Jesus’ crucifixion and Peter’s future martyrdom:
• John 12:33 – “He said this to signify the kind of death He was going to die.”
• John 18:32 – “This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to indicate the kind of death He was going to die.”
• John 21:19 – “Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God.”

Here the verb highlights that suffering and death are not accidental intrusions but foreknown components of redemptive purpose. By foretelling both His own cross and Peter’s fate, Christ calls disciples to follow Him with eyes wide open, assured that even martyrdom lies within His sovereign plan.

Judicial Clarity (Acts 25:27)

Festus writes to Caesar that “it seems unreasonable to me to send a prisoner without specifying the charges against him.” In a context devoid of direct divine revelation, the word still carries the force of clear, accountable disclosure. Civil authorities and church leaders alike are reminded that transparency in judgment is a biblical value.

Old Testament and Jewish Background

The Septuagint frequently uses the same verb to describe God’s signaling of future events (for example, Daniel 2:45). Behind each New Testament use stands the prophetic tradition in which the Lord “shows” His servants what will occur so that they may respond in faith and obedience.

Ministry Significance

1. Confidence in Revelation: God continues to speak reliably through Scripture, and what He has signified will surely come to pass.
2. Preparedness for Suffering: Knowing that Christ openly foretold hardship equips believers to face opposition without surprise or despair.
3. Integrity in Leadership: Whether prophesying like Agabus or governing like Festus, God’s servants must communicate truthfully and plainly.
4. Encouragement for Witness: Peter’s predicted martyrdom closes with the call, “Follow Me.” Awareness of divinely signified outcomes strengthens resolve for mission.

Conclusion

Across prophetic vision, cruciform discipleship, and administrative duty, Strong’s 4591 accents the certainty and clarity of God’s self-disclosure. What the Lord signifies is both trustworthy and purposeful, inviting His people to obedience marked by faith, courage, and transparency.

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.