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θερμαίνω

thermaínō

G2328 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To make warm, to warm oneself; used both in the literal sense of imparting heat or becoming warm, and in reflexive/literal contexts of seeking physical warmth. The primary sense is the action of causing heat, with extended use in contexts describing bodily comfort or relief from cold.

Semantic Range

to make warm, to heat (something), to warm oneself, to be warmed, to become warm

Root / Etymology

From θέρμη (thérmē, 'heat, warmth'); derived as a denominative verb from the noun indicating heat. Forms part of a family of words relating to heat and warmness in Greek.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Koine Greek, θερμαίνω is primarily a literal verb, meaning 'to make warm' or 'to become warm.' It appears in a variety of contexts, such as heating objects, warming food or drink, or seeking warmth by a fire. In the New Testament (e.g., John 18:18, 25), it specifically describes individuals physically warming themselves by a fire, alluding to the practical act of seeking personal comfort from cold. No metaphorical or extended figurative senses are attested in the New Testament or the Septuagint; the meaning remains focused on physical warmth. The related noun θέρμη and adjective θερμός also refer to heat or warm temperature. Standard English translations such as 'to warm oneself,' 'to be warmed,' or 'to heat' capture the core semantic range, but the Greek is consistently concrete in usage. No significant difference exists between New Testament and earlier Koine usage in this regard. No special religious or cultural connotations are attached to the word in biblical Greek.

Translation Consistency

primary "warm" 6 occurrences

“Warm” is the most natural, common English verb that covers the full SILEX range: to make something warm (transitive), to warm oneself (reflexive), and to become warm (intransitive/passive). It matches the attested P2 renderings (mostly “warming”) and reads naturally in ordinary English better than the more formal “heat.”

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from θέρμη; to heat (oneself):--(be) warm(-ed, self).

Root Family

θερμαίνω (thermainō) — to make warm, to heat, to become warm

Root θερμ- to make warm, to heat, to become warm

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2328-04 θερμαινόμενος thermainomenos V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG warming himself warming himself warming himself 3
G2328-01 ἐθερμαίνοντο ethermainonto V IMPF MID IND 3P PL they were warming themselves they were warming themselves they were warming themselves 1
G2328-02 θερμαίνεσθε thermainesthe V PRS MID IMP 2P PL be warmed be warming yourselves be warming yourselves 1
G2328-03 θερμαινόμενον thermainomenon V PRS MID PTCP ACC M SG warming himself warming himself warming himself 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2328-04 Mark 14:54 θερμαινόμενος thermainomenos V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG warming warming himself warming himself
G2328-03 Mark 14:67 θερμαινόμενον thermainomenon V PRS MID PTCP ACC M SG warming himself warming himself warming himself
G2328-01 John 18:18 ἐθερμαίνοντο ethermainonto V IMPF MID IND 3P PL they were warming themselves they were warming themselves they were warming themselves
G2328-04 John 18:18 θερμαινόμενος thermainomenos V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG warming himself warming himself warming himself
G2328-04 John 18:25 θερμαινόμενος thermainomenos V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG warming himself warming himself warming himself
G2328-02 James 2:16 θερμαίνεσθε thermainesthe V PRS MID IMP 2P PL be warmed be warming yourselves be warming yourselves
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