ἔλεγεν

elegen

he was saying

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

Mark 5:8 · Word #1

Lexicon G3004

Lemmaλέγω
Transliterationlégō
Strong'sG3004
In-contexthe was saying
Literalhe-was-saying

Morphology V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG All morphology codes

Part of Speech V — Verb — An action or state of being
Tense IMPF — Imperfect — Continuous or repeated past action
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 SG — Singular — One

Lexical Info

Lemmaλέγω
Strong'sG3004

SIBI-P1 G3004-32

he was laying-forth (in words)

Rootλέγω (legō)
Core Meaningsto lay forth, to speak, to relate, to recount, to declare, to mean
Semantic Rangeto say, to speak, to recount, to explain, to declare, to command, to ask, to name, to mean, to reason
Conceptual Significanceλέγω is a foundational verb for speech and rational expression in the Greek Scriptures, closely related to λόγος (word, account, reason). It often introduces authoritative teaching, divine revelation, or interpretive explanation, emphasizing ordered and meaningful discourse rather than mere utterance.
Morphological NotesVerb; imperfect tense (past ongoing/repeated action), active voice, indicative mood, 3rd person singular. The form ἔλεγεν denotes continuous or customary speaking in past narrative context.
Rendering RationaleThe verb λέγω properly means "to lay forth," especially in ordered or reasoned speech. The imperfect active indicative, 3rd person singular (IIA3 S), conveys continuous or repeated action in past time, hence "he was laying-forth," reflecting ongoing or habitual speech rather than a single utterance.

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

Words from Root λέγω (to lay forth, to speak, to relate, to recount, to declare, to mean)

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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