ἑρμην-εύω G2059
translate, interpret; render from one language to another or explain meaning
This verb means to interpret foreign tongues, translate between languages, or explain and expound meaning. Classical usage includes both linguistic translation and broader explanation. In the New Testament it appears when Gospel writers translate Aramaic or Hebrew names and words for Greek readers—explaining Simon's new name (John 1:42), the meaning of Siloam (John 9:7), and Melchizedek's name (Hebrews 7:2).
Senses
1. sense 1 — The multilingual glosses consistently indicate translation work: Spanish se-traduce/siendo-traducido ('is translated, being translated'), French interpréter ('interpret'). John 1:42: 'Cephas (which is translated Peter).' John 9:7: 'Siloam (which is translated Sent).' Hebrews 7:2: 'Melchizedek means king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace.' Each instance provides translation or explanation for readers unfamiliar with Hebrew or Aramaic, bridging linguistic and cultural gaps. 3×
AR["مُتَرْجَمًا", "يُتَرجَم", "يُتَرْجَمُ"]·ben["অনুবাদ-হয়", "অনুবাদ-হয়ে", "অর্থ-হয়"]·DE["auslegen"]·EN["being-translated", "is-interpreted", "is-translated"]·FR["interpréter"]·heb["מְפֹרָשׁ", "מְתֻרְגָּם", "מִתְפָּרֵשׁ"]·HI["अनुवाद-किया-जाता-है,", "अनुवाद-होता-है", "अर्थ-है"]·ID["diterjemahkan", "yang-diterjemahkan"]·IT["ermēneuomenos", "tradurre"]·jav["dipun-jarwakaken", "dipun-tegesaken,", "kategesaken"]·KO["번역되면", "번역된다", "해석되면"]·PT["se-traduz", "sendo-interpretado", "é-traduzido"]·RU["означает,", "переводится", "толкуемый"]·ES["se-traduce", "siendo-traducido"]·SW["akitafsiriwa", "linatafsiriwa"]·TR["tercüme-edildiğinde", "tercüme-edilir"]·urd["ترجمہ-کیا-جائے", "ترجمہ-ہوتا-ہے"]
Related Senses
H0559 1. say, speak, tell (5297×)G3004 1. say, tell, speak (2226×)H1696 1. speak, say, tell (Piel) (1105×)H7121 1. call, summon, name (575×)H6680 1. command, order, charge (483×)H6030b 1. answer, respond, reply (289×)G2980 1. speak, talk (277×)H5046 1. Hifil: to tell, report (237×)G0611 1. answer or respond verbally (232×)H1288 1. Piel: bless, invoke blessing (227×)H7650 1. swear, take an oath (Niphal) (154×)H3789 1. Qal passive participle: written, recorded (112×)H1984b 1. praise, laud (Piel) (111×)H7592 1. ask, inquire, question (96×)H3034 1. give thanks, praise (Hifil) (94×)G1321 1. teach, instruct actively (92×)H3789 2. Qal active: write, compose (89×)G1125 1. to write, compose (a letter or document) (84×)H5046 2. Hifil: to declare, proclaim (79×)H7892a 1. song, musical composition (78×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ἑρμην-εύω, Doric dialect ἑρμᾱνεύω Refs, interpret foreign tongues, Refs 5th c.BC+; translate, Refs 1st c.BC+:—passive, Ἑλληνιστί LXX+1st c.BC+ __II explain, expound, Refs 5th c.BC+:—middle, Refs:— passive, Refs 4th c.BC+ __II.2 put into words, express, Refs 5th c.BC+:— passive, Refs 1st c.BC+ __II.3 describe, write about, τὸν Νεῖλον Refs 4th c.BC+ __III absolutely, speak clearly, articulate, Refs 5th c.BC+