ἐμέω
eméō
G1692 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
to vomit, to eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth; in extended metaphorical sense, to reject forcibly or expel with disgust. The primary lexical sense is the physical act of vomiting; in some contexts, especially in metaphorical or prophetic literature, used figuratively of strong rejection or expulsion.
Semantic Range
to vomit (physically), to expel forcibly, to reject with disgust (figurative)
Root / Etymology
Root: ἐμέ-. Possibly cognate with the Latin 'emere' (to emit, to send forth), but the exact etymology is uncertain. The verb ἐμέω is attested in later Greek and appears to be a native Greek formation, but its deeper origin remains unclear.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Ἐμέω appears rarely in classical Greek, more commonly in medical writers (e.g., Hippocrates) for the literal act of vomiting. In the Septuagint and New Testament (Rev 3:16), it is used predominantly in a figurative sense to indicate forceful rejection or casting out, reflecting the intensely negative connotation of the physical act in Greek thought. Its appearance in Revelation 3:16, rendered as 'spue' or 'vomit' in English translations, is metaphorical, expressing visceral rejection or disgust. The verb has little extended use outside medical, physical, or strong metaphorical senses, and is not connected to ritual impurity or symbolic acts in the Hellenistic context. The English 'spue' or 'spew' (KJV) aims to retain the physicality of the metaphor, though 'reject' would capture only part of the connotation. There are no significant differences between LXX and New Testament usage, except for the latter's highly figurative context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of uncertain affinity; to vomit:--(will) spue.
Root Family
ἐμέ- (eméō) — to vomit, to eject
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1692-01 |
ἐμέσαι | emesai | V AOR ACT INF |
spit | to vomit | to vomit | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1692-01 |
Revelation 3:16 | ἐμέσαι | emesai | V AOR ACT INF |
spit | to vomit | to vomit |