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ἀκοή

akoḗ

G189 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

The act of hearing, the faculty of hearing, or that which is heard—an announcement or message. In context, refers both to the physical process or sense of hearing and to reports or news that are received or shared. In religious or rhetorical contexts, may indicate the message received by hearing, particularly a proclamation or pronouncement.

Semantic Range

sense of hearing, faculty of hearing, act of hearing, report, rumor, message heard, proclamation, fame, news, audience

Root / Etymology

From the verb ἀκούω (to hear), with the nominal suffix -ή, forming a noun indicating result or process: 'hearing' or 'that which is heard.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, ἀκοή primarily denotes the sense of hearing (the physical faculty or act), but it also extends to signify a rumor, report, or reputation—especially in Homeric and later prose usage. In the Septuagint, ἀκοή translates several Hebrew terms related to hearing, report, or fame—frequently in contexts where an oracle, command, or prophetic message is heard. In the New Testament (e.g., Rom 10:17), ἀκοή commonly denotes the message proclaimed (especially in reference to preaching or the proclamation of the message about the Anointed One), as well as the means by which such a message is received ('faith comes from hearing'). It can also simply mean 'report' or 'news' (as in 'news about him spread'). English translations often render it as 'hearing,' 'message,' 'report,' or 'rumor,' but the underlying sense may shift between the act/process, the faculty, and the content of what is heard. Compared to related terms like λόγος ('word, discourse'), ἀκοή emphasizes reception and transmission via the ear.

Translation Consistency

primary "hearing" 19 occurrences

Most common and natural rendering in the P2 data and SILEX range. ἀκοή primarily denotes the act/faculty of hearing or what is heard; “hearing” captures the physical sense (faculty/act) and can naturally cover news/reports as “that which is heard.” While “report” is a common alternate, “hearing” best fits the typical usages and reads naturally across contexts.

Alternatives (5 occurrences):
"reports" (3x) "ears" (2x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀκούω; hearing (the act, the sense or the thing heard):--audience, ear, fame, which ye heard, hearing, preached, report, rumor.

Root Family

ἀκοή (akoē) — hearing, act of hearing, that which is heard, report, message

Root ἀκού- to hear, to listen

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G189-04 ἀκοὴ akoe N NOM F SG report hearing hearing 10
G189-06 ἀκοῆς akoes N GEN F SG hearing of hearing of hearing 5
G189-03 ἀκοὰς akoas N ACC F PL rumors reports reports 4
G189-05 ἀκοὴν akoen N ACC F SG ears hearing hearing 3
G189-02 ἀκοαῖς akoais N DAT F PL ears to the hearings hearing 1
G189-01 ἀκοαί akoai N NOM F PL ears hearings ears 1

Occurrences in Scripture

24 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G189-04 Matthew 4:24 ἀκοὴ akoe N NOM F SG report hearing hearing
G189-04 Matthew 13:14 ἀκοῇ akoe N DAT F SG with hearing hearing hearing
G189-05 Matthew 14:1 ἀκοὴν akoen N ACC F SG report hearing hearing
G189-03 Matthew 24:6 ἀκοὰς akoas N ACC F PL rumors reports reports
G189-04 Mark 1:28 ἀκοὴ akoe N NOM F SG news hearing hearing
G189-01 Mark 7:35 ἀκοαί akoai N NOM F PL ears hearings ears
G189-03 Mark 13:7 ἀκοὰς akoas N ACC F PL rumors reports reports
G189-03 Luke 7:1 ἀκοὰς akoas N ACC F PL hearing reports reports
G189-04 John 12:38 ἀκοῇ akoe N DAT F SG report hearing hearing
G189-03 Acts 17:20 ἀκοὰς akoas N ACC F PL ears reports ears
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