μορφόω
morphóō
G3445 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To give form or shape to, to mold or fashion; in figurative contexts, to bring about or develop a particular character or mode of being. The primary lexical sense is the act of shaping or causing something or someone to acquire a particular outward form or appearance; by extension, can refer to forming or shaping inwardly (i.e., in character or essence), especially in rhetorical or philosophical use.
Semantic Range
to give shape to, to mold or fashion (physically or figuratively), to form or develop (character or virtue), to bring into a specific form, to transform (inwardly or outwardly)
Root / Etymology
From μορφή (morphē, 'form, shape'), itself of uncertain pre-Greek derivation, but commonly used in classical and Hellenistic Greek for outward form or manifestation. μορφόω is a denominative verb formed by adding the verbal ending -όω (-oō) to the noun μορφή.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, μορφόω most commonly means 'to give form to' or 'to shape', used of both physical shaping (as of an artisan or artist) and of abstract or figurative forming (such as shaping character or virtue). In philosophical and rhetorical contexts, the term can describe the process of being molded or fashioned inwardly, as in the development of qualities or virtues. In the New Testament (e.g., Galatians 4:19), it is used in a figurative sense to describe the process of transformation or formation in a person (often of moral or spiritual character), reflecting influence or change brought about internally rather than merely external shaping. English translations often render the term as 'to form' or 'to be formed', but this may underrepresent its potential philosophical and rhetorical overtones in Greek usage. Distinct from related terms such as πλάσσω (plasso, 'to mold,' especially from clay), which places emphasis on material formation, whereas μορφόω focuses on appearance or essential quality, whether external or internal.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as μορφή; to fashion (figuratively):--form.
Root Family
μορφόω (morphoō) — to shape, to form, to fashion
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3445-01 |
μορφωθῇ | morphothe | V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG |
is formed | may be shaped | may be shaped | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3445-01 |
Galatians 4:19 | μορφωθῇ | morphothe | V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG |
is formed | may be shaped | may be shaped |