μῠέω G3453
to be initiated into the mysteries; to learn a secret through instruction or experience
This verb primarily means to be initiated into mystery religions, but by extension to learn secrets or be instructed in hidden knowledge. In Philippians 4:12, Paul declares he has learned the secret of being content in all circumstances. The multilingual glosses identify initiation or learning secrets (Spanish he sido iniciado, French/German forms). Classical usage centers on mystery cult initiation, but Paul appropriates this language for the Christian's experiential learning of spiritual truths, particularly contentment independent of circumstances.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Philippians 4:12 shows Paul claiming to have been initiated into the secret of contentment through varied experiences. The cross-linguistic evidence emphasizes initiation and learning secrets. Paul uses mystery language—he has been initiated, learned the mystery. But unlike pagan mysteries with secret rites, Paul's initiation came through Christ-empowering experiences of plenty and hunger, abundance and need. The perfect tense suggests completed initiation: he has fully learned contentment's secret and now lives in its power. 1×
AR["تَدَرَّبْتُ"]·ben["দীক্ষিত-হয়েছি"]·DE["eingeweiht-sein"]·EN["I-have-learned-the-secret"]·FR["μεμύημαι"]·heb["חֻנַּכְתִּי"]·HI["मैने-सेएख"]·ID["aku telah dipercaya rahasia"]·IT["memuēmai"]·jav["kula-dipunwulang"]·KO["입문됐노라"]·PT["tenho-aprendido-o-segredo"]·RU["научен"]·ES["he-sido-iniciado"]·SW["nimefunzwa-siri"]·TR["ogretildim"]·urd["سکھایا-گیا-ہوں"]
Related Senses
H3045 1. Qal: to know, perceive, understand (829×)H5315 1. soul, inner being (647×)H3820a 1. heart, inner self (mind/will/emotion) (572×)H4672 1. Qal: find, discover (289×)G1492 1. know facts or truths (285×)H3824 1. heart, inner self (mind/will/emotion) (250×)H1245 1. seek, search for (200×)G1097 1. know, be acquainted with (196×)H2142 1. Qal: remember, recall (173×)G2588 1. heart (inner self, mind, will) (158×)H0977 1. choose, select (Qal active) (145×)G2147 1. find, discover (144×)G5590 1. soul, inner self (100×)H4672 2. Niphal: be found, be discovered (99×)H1875 1. seek, search for (96×)H5315 2. life, vitality (94×)H1847 1. knowledge, discernment (90×)H2450 1. wise, prudent (84×)H7911 1. Qal: to forget (83×)H3684 1. fool, dullard (70×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
μῠέω, (μύω, which see) initiate into the mysteries, μυῶν.. ἄλλους ξένους Refs 5th c.BC+:—more frequently in passive, to be initiated, ὁ βουλόμενος μυεῖται Refs 5th c.BC+; οἱ μεμυημένοιRefs 5th c.BC+; μυηθῆναι ἀφ᾽ ἑστίας, see at {ἑστί; τοῦ ἀφ᾽ ἑστίας μυουμένου} probably in Refs 1st c.AD+; θεοπρόποι ἦλθον.., οἵτινες μυηθέντες ἐνεβάτευσαν Refs 2nd c.AD+: with accusative cognate, to be initiated in a…