εἶπον

eipon

said

a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.

G3004

John 18:31 · Word #16

Lexicon G3004

Lemmaλέγω
Transliterationlégō
Strong'sG3004
In-contextsaid
Literalsaid

Morphology V AOR ACT IND 3P PL All morphology codes

Part of Speech V — Verb — An action or state of being
Tense AOR — Aorist — Simple occurrence, often past
Voice ACT — Active — The subject performs the action
Mood IND — Indicative — States a fact or reality
Person 3P — 3rd person — The one spoken about ("he/she/it/they")
Number PL — Plural — More than one

Lexical Info

Lemmaλέγω
Strong'sG3004

SIBI-P1 G3004-14

they were laying-forth (in words)

Rootλέγω (legō)
Core Meaningsto say, to speak, to tell, to lay forth, to declare, to relate in words
Semantic Rangeto say, speak, tell, recount, declare, explain, assert, command, mean, call or name
Conceptual Significanceλέγω is a foundational verb of speech in the Greek Scriptures, closely related to λόγος (word, message, reason). It frames divine revelation, teaching, proclamation, and human response, often introducing significant theological statements and narrative movements.
Morphological NotesVerb; imperfect tense (past ongoing/repeated action), active voice, indicative mood, 3rd person plural.
Rendering RationaleThe verb λέγω literally carries the sense of "laying forth" in speech, especially in ordered or meaningful discourse. The morphology (imperfect active indicative, 3rd person plural) indicates continuous or repeated action in past time, hence "they were laying-forth," preserving both the root imagery and the ongoing past aspect.

AI-generated (openai/gpt-5.2-chat-latest)

Words from Root λέγω (to say, to speak, to tell, to lay forth, to declare, to relate in words)

SILEX Code Transliteration SIBI-P1
G3004-01 eipa I was laying-forth (in words)
G3004-02 eipan they were laying-forth (their words)
G3004-03 eipas you laid-forth (in word)

Word Usage (2353 occurrences of G3004)

Location Form Transliteration Meaning
Matthew 1:16 λεγόμενος legomenos called
Matthew 1:20 λέγων legon saying
Matthew 1:22 ῥηθὲν rethen was spoken
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