μηνύω (G3377) — Greek Lexicon

μηνύω

mēnýō

G3377 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To make known, report, declare, or inform, typically conveying information by word of mouth. The primary sense is to communicate or disclose information, whether publicly or privately. The term is used especially of conveying news or a message, often with a shade of 'informing against' (reporting or denouncing), depending on context. It may involve formal or official notification, or bringing something to light.

Semantic Range

to make known, to report, to inform, to notify, to denounce, to declare, to disclose, to reveal

Root / Etymology

Root: μηνυ- (from μηνύω). The precise etymology is uncertain. It was traditionally connected to μνάομαι ('to remember, recall') or μασσάομαι ('to strive'), but this connection is speculative. The term is attested independently in classical Greek with the meaning 'to inform, make known,' unrelated to the purported roots.

Historical & Contextual Notes

μηνύω appears from the classical period onwards with the basic sense of 'inform' or 'report,' often in legal or formal contexts (e.g., bringing accusations to a magistrate). By the Hellenistic and Koine periods, this usage continues with a general sense of 'reporting,' but also 'denouncing' or 'notifying authorities,' especially in legal or social disputes. In the New Testament (e.g., Acts 23:30), μηνύω describes informing or making known a plot or plan, typically to someone in authority. The word may carry formal overtones, especially in contrast to απαγγέλλω, which emphasizes the content of the message, whereas μηνύω sometimes highlights the act of notification, often in the context of an accusation, warning, or disclosure of secret information. English translations such as 'show,' 'tell,' or 'declare' may not fully capture the nuance of official or accusatory denouncement present in some NT and LXX contexts. The term does not inherently imply negative information, but its legal connotations are prominent in many ancient sources.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably from the same base as μασσάομαι and μνάομαι (i.e. , to strive); to disclose (through the idea of mental effort and thus calling to mind), i.e. report, declare, intimate:--shew, tell.

Root Family

μηνύω (mēnyō) — to make known, to report, to inform, to disclose

Root μηνυ- to make known, to report, to inform, to disclose

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G3377-04`	μηνυθείσης	menutheises	`V AOR PASS PTCP GEN F SG`	having been informed	having been informed	having been informed	1
`G3377-02`	μηνύσαντα	menusanta	`V AOR ACT PTCP ACC M SG`	who informed	having reported	having reported	1
`G3377-01`	ἐμήνυσεν	emenusen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	showed	he reported	he reported	1
`G3377-03`	μηνύσῃ	menuse	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG`	he should show it	he may report	he may report	1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G3377-01`	Luke 20:37	ἐμήνυσεν	emenusen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	showed	he reported	he reported
`G3377-03`	John 11:57	μηνύσῃ	menuse	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG`	he should show it	he may report	he may report
`G3377-04`	Acts 23:30	μηνυθείσης	menutheises	`V AOR PASS PTCP GEN F SG`	having been informed	having been informed	having been informed
`G3377-02`	1 Corinthians 10:28	μηνύσαντα	menusanta	`V AOR ACT PTCP ACC M SG`	who informed	having reported	having reported

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