ἠχ-έω G2278
To sound, ring, resound; to make a loud noise; to echo or reverberate.
This verb describes loud, resonant sound—the ringing of metal, the chirping of grasshoppers, the pealing of music. It can be transitive (causing something to sound) or intransitive (sounding itself). Paul uses it metaphorically in 1 Corinthians 13 to describe the empty noise of loveless speech. Classical usage included everything from the ringing of shields in battle to the tingling of ears to musical instruments echoing their notes. The word captures not just sound but resonant, reverberating sound that fills space.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Paul employs this vivid verb in 1 Corinthians 13:1 to describe speech without love: it becomes mere noise like a clanging cymbal or resounding gong. The participle form emphasizes the continuous sounding. Classical parallels include bronze shields ringing in battle and grasshoppers chirping. The Spanish 'resonando' and French 'résonner' capture the reverberating quality. Paul's point is devastating—without love, the most eloquent speech is just hollow noise, sound without meaning, reverberation without truth. 1×
AR["رانًّا"]·ben["বাজন্তা,"]·DE["toenen"]·EN["sounding"]·FR["résonner"]·heb["הוֹמָה"]·HI["बजता-हुआ"]·ID["yang-berdentang"]·IT["risuonare"]·jav["ngumandhang"]·KO["울리는"]·PT["que-ecoa,"]·RU["звучащая"]·ES["resonando"]·SW["inayolia"]·TR["çınlayan"]·urd["بجتا-ہوا"]
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
ἠχ-έω, Aeolic dialect and Doric dialect ἀχέω [ᾱ]: __I intransitive, sound, ring, peal, ἠχεῖ δὲ κάρη.. Ὀλύμπου Refs 8th c.BC+; of metal, ἠχέεσκε ὁ χαλκὸς τῆς ἀσπίδος Refs 5th c.BC+; of the grasshopper, chirp, Refs 7th c.BC+; of the ears, tingle, ἠχήσει τὰ ὦτα LXX; διὰ τί ἠχεῖ ἢ διὰ τί ἐμφαίνετα; impersonal, of anecho, Refs 4th c.BC+ __I.2 suffer from noises in the ears, Refs 1st c.AD+ __II with…