μεσόω
mesóō
G3322 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be in the middle or midst of a period of time or process; to reach or be at the halfway point of a duration or process. The primary sense is 'to reach the middle,' especially with reference to time, such as being halfway through a festival, action, or narrative event.
Semantic Range
to be at the midpoint of a process or period (especially time); to reach the halfway mark; to be about the midst (of an event, festival, etc.); to form the middle
Root / Etymology
From the adjective μέσος ('middle') with the denominative verb-forming suffix -όω, meaning 'to make or be(come) middle' or 'to reach the middle.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
μεσόω is a late and rare verb found in Hellenistic Greek and the Septuagint, and sparsely in post-classical Greek literature. In the New Testament, its attestation is very limited (notably John 7:14). The verb is used almost exclusively with reference to the progression of time, indicating that a particular event or period is at or has reached its midpoint. In the LXX and related Jewish-Greek literature, it tends to mark a narrative or ritual midpoint (e.g., when a festival period is 'half-over'). English translations often render the verb as 'about the middle' or 'when... was half over,' which approximates its temporal nuance but may miss its focus on the exact midpoint. The verb stands in contrast to other temporal markers such as ἀρχὴ ('beginning') or τέλος ('end'), and is distinct from general terms for 'being in the middle' spatially (e.g., ἐν μέσῳ).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from μέσος; to form the middle, i.e. (in point of time), to be half-way over:--be about the midst.
Root Family
μεσόω (mesoō) — to be in the middle, to reach the midpoint
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3322-01 |
μεσούσης | mesouses | V PRS ACT PTCP GEN F SG |
being in the middle | of being at midpoint | being at midpoint | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3322-01 |
John 7:14 | μεσούσης | mesouses | V PRS ACT PTCP GEN F SG |
being in the middle | of being at midpoint | being at midpoint |