μεταβάλλω
metabállō
G3328 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To cause a change or alteration, to transform; in the middle voice, to change oneself or one's opinion, to experience a change in mood, mind, or attitude. The verb conveys an active sense of making something different, or a reflexive/passive sense of becoming different or experiencing change internally. In narrative and philosophical contexts, often used to describe shifts in viewpoint, feeling, or disposition.
Semantic Range
to change, alter (something); to transform; to turn around; to change one's mind, to have a change of heart or opinion; to experience a shift in mood or feeling, to be emotionally or mentally transformed
Root / Etymology
From the preposition μετά (indicating change, after, or accompaniment) and the verb βάλλω ('to throw, cast'). The compound originally signified 'to throw over/change' (metaphorically, 'to effect a change').
Historical & Contextual Notes
While in classical Greek μεταβάλλω could have various concrete senses ('to turn about, alter position, shift'), by the Hellenistic and Koine periods its primary usage was often figurative, especially in the middle or passive voice. In the Septuagint and the New Testament, it typically denotes a shift in one’s disposition or intention (e.g., Acts 28:6: 'they changed their minds'). The English rendering 'change one's mind' or 'alter one's opinion' captures most Koine occurrences, though standard translations may not always convey the full nuance, which can sometimes suggest an emotional as well as intellectual shift. The verb contrasts with ἀμεταμέλητος ('not to be regretted, unchanging in purpose'), highlighting the action or process of transformation or reversal of a prior disposition. The root sense of physical motion ('to turn or move in space') rarely appears in Koine Greek but remains underlying in the metaphor.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from μετά and βάλλω; to throw over, i.e. (middle voice figuratively) to turn about in opinion:--change mind.
Root Family
μεταβάλλω (metaballō) — to change, to alter, to transform, to turn about
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3328-01 |
μεταβαλόμενοι | metabalomenoi | V AOR MID PTCP NOM M PL |
they changed their minds | having changed themselves | having changed themselves | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3328-01 |
Acts 28:6 | μεταβαλόμενοι | metabalomenoi | V AOR MID PTCP NOM M PL |
they changed their minds | having changed themselves | having changed themselves |