← G3403 G3405 →

μισέω

miséō

G3404 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To feel animosity toward, to regard with aversion or act in opposition to; the primary meaning is to hate or detest. In extended usage, especially in Semitic-influenced contexts such as the Septuagint and New Testament, it can mean 'to love less' or 'to prefer less strongly,' often in contrast to the verb ἀγαπάω (to love). This secondary sense arises in comparative statements to express priority rather than emotional hostility.

Semantic Range

to hate, to detest, to regard with hostility, to hold in aversion, to be opposed to, to prefer less (in comparative contexts)

Root / Etymology

From root μισ- (mis-), meaning 'to hate.' Seen as cognate within Greek and with no certain external etymology beyond Greek; the origin before classical Greek is uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

μισέω occurs frequently in classical Greek texts with the sense 'to hate,' expressing personal enmity or strong aversion (e.g., Homer, Herodotus). In Hellenistic Greek and the Septuagint, its meaning can be shaped by Hebrew עָנֵב (sanē’), which is used for personal and covenantal opposition, contributing to the broader semantic range in Jewish Greek. In the New Testament, μισέω often appears in antithetical constructions (e.g., 'love...hate') drawn from Semitic idiom, where 'hate' can mean 'to regard with lower priority' (Luke 14:26), not always emotional antipathy. Standard English 'hate' may overstate the intensity in such passages. The term can be used of people, behaviors, and even in reference to God as the subject or object. It contrasts with φιλέω ('to be fond of, cherish') and ἀγαπάω ('to love'), where distinctions are often context-dependent. In Greco-Roman moral philosophy, μισέω could be used for opposition to moral or civic values (hate injustice, etc.), not always personal animosity.

Translation Consistency

primary "hate" 40 occurrences

Primary sense in Greek usage is to feel animosity or aversion (hate/detest), and English translations overwhelmingly use “hate” (hates/hating/hated) in the majority of occurrences. In Semitic-influenced comparative contexts the word can mean “love less,” but English Bibles also render those constructions with “hate” (e.g., Luke 14:26) to convey the intended contrast. “Hate” is the most natural, consistent single verb to cover the typical semantic range.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a primary (hatred); to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less:--hate(-ful).

Root Family

μισέω (miseō) — to hate, to detest, to be hostile toward

Root μισ- to hate, to be hostile toward

Word Forms

23 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3404-10 μισεῖ misei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG hates hates hates 7
G3404-19 μισῶν mison V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG hates the one hating the one hating 5
G3404-20 μισούμενοι misoumenoi V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL hated those being hated being hated 4
G3404-21 μισοῦντες misountes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL hating those hating hating 2
G3404-04 ἐμίσησεν emisesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG has hated he/she hated hated 2
G3404-18 μισῶ miso V PRS ACT IND 1P SG hate I hate I hate 2
G3404-13 μισήσει misesei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG he will hate he/she will hate he/she will hate 2
G3404-01 ἐμίσησα emisesa V AOR ACT IND 1P SG I hated I hated I hated 1
G3404-02 ἐμίσησάν emisesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL they hated they were hating they hated 1
G3404-07 μεμίσηκεν memiseken V PRF ACT IND 3P SG it has hated has hated has hated 1

Occurrences in Scripture

40 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3404-14 Matthew 5:43 μισήσεις miseseis V FUT ACT IND 2P SG hate you will hate you will hate
G3404-13 Matthew 6:24 μισήσει misesei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG he will hate he/she will hate he/she will hate
G3404-20 Matthew 10:22 μισούμενοι misoumenoi V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL hated those being hated being hated
G3404-20 Matthew 24:9 μισούμενοι misoumenoi V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL hated those being hated those being hated
G3404-17 Matthew 24:10 μισήσουσιν misesousin V FUT ACT IND 3P PL will hate they will hate they will hate
G3404-20 Mark 13:13 μισούμενοι misoumenoi V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL hated those being hated those being hated
G3404-22 Luke 1:71 μισούντων misounton V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL hating of those hating hating
G3404-15 Luke 6:22 μισήσωσιν misesosin V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL men hate they might hate they might hate
G3404-23 Luke 6:27 μισοῦσιν misousin V PRS ACT PTCP DAT M PL hating to the ones hating hating
G3404-10 Luke 14:26 μισεῖ misei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG hates hates hates
← G3403 Greek Lexicon G3405 →