μετάνοια
metánoia
G3341 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Change of mind or purpose; a fundamental reorientation of thinking and intention, especially in ethical or religious matters. In various contexts, refers to the act of reconsideration, regret, or a transformative shift in one's disposition, often involving personal amendment or turning away from prior behavior. In later religious usage, frequently but not exclusively connotes the idea of repentance, but the primary sense remains intellectual and volitional change.
Semantic Range
change of mind, reconsideration, change of purpose, regret, afterthought, moral or religious reorientation, repentance
Root / Etymology
From μετανοέω (metanoéō, 'to change one's mind, to reconsider, to have afterthought'), which is composed of μετά ('after, with') and νοέω ('to perceive, to think'). Thus, 'after-thought' or 'subsequent change of mind.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, μετάνοια signified a shift of mind or reconsideration, without an inherent component of moral or emotional contrition; it might refer to simply changing one's view or purpose. In Hellenistic and early Jewish writings (including the Septuagint), the term begins to acquire a more moral and religious connotation, namely the reorientation of one's life and actions, especially in response to divine instruction. In the New Testament, μετάνοια predominantly expresses the call to profound inner change—a recognition of past error and a turning toward a new mode of conduct aligned with God's will. English translations traditionally render μετάνοια as 'repentance,' but this can overemphasize the aspect of contrition or sorrow; the Greek concept includes intellectual, volitional, and sometimes emotional elements. The term stands distinct from μετάμελος ('regret, remorse'), which highlights emotional regret more strongly. Key uses in the New Testament (e.g., Mark 1:4, Acts 2:38) reflect the broad call for ethical and spiritual transformation.
Translation Consistency
Metanoia’s primary sense is a reorientation or change of mind/purpose; ‘change’ is neutral, natural English that fits the typical usage across contexts (intellectual, volitional, moral) and was the most common rendering in the P2 data. It allows context-specific extensions (e.g. ‘change of mind,’ ‘change of purpose’) while avoiding the theologically narrower term ‘repentance.’ Consistency and naturalness favor ‘change.’
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from μετανοέω; (subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication, reversal (of (another's) decision):--repentance.
Root Family
μετάνοια (metanoia) — change of mind, reconsideration, change of purpose, reorientation
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3341-01 |
μετάνοιαν | metanoian | N ACC F SG |
repentance | a change of mind | a change of mind | 12 |
G3341-02 |
μετανοίας | metanoias | N GEN F SG |
of repentance | of mind-change | of mind-change | 10 |
Occurrences in Scripture
22 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3341-02 |
Matthew 3:8 | μετανοίας | metanoias | N GEN F SG |
repentance | of mind-change | of mind-change |
G3341-01 |
Matthew 3:11 | μετάνοιαν | metanoian | N ACC F SG |
repentance | a change of mind | a change of mind |
G3341-02 |
Mark 1:4 | μετανοίας | metanoias | N GEN F SG |
of repentance | of mind-change | of mind-change |
G3341-02 |
Luke 3:3 | μετανοίας | metanoias | N GEN F SG |
of repentance | of mind-change | of mind-change |
G3341-02 |
Luke 3:8 | μετανοίας | metanoias | N GEN F SG |
repentance | of mind-change | of mind-change |
G3341-01 |
Luke 5:32 | μετάνοιαν | metanoian | N ACC F SG |
repentance | a change of mind | a change of mind |
G3341-02 |
Luke 15:7 | μετανοίας | metanoias | N GEN F SG |
of repentance | of mind-change | of mind-change |
G3341-01 |
Luke 24:47 | μετάνοιαν | metanoian | N ACC F SG |
repentance | a change of mind | a change of mind |
G3341-01 |
Acts 5:31 | μετάνοιαν | metanoian | N ACC F SG |
repentance | a change of mind | a change of mind |
G3341-01 |
Acts 11:18 | μετάνοιαν | metanoian | N ACC F SG |
repentance | a change of mind | a change of mind |