μωμάομαι
mōmáomai
G3469 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To find fault with, criticize, or reproach (often with the sense of speaking or acting in a way that seeks to discredit or shame another); to blame, to censure. In various contexts, the word carries the connotation of publicly pointing out a flaw or defect, or making an accusation that casts doubt on a person's character or actions. The sense is active and intentional, often involving reproachful or disparaging speech.
Semantic Range
to find fault with, to criticize, to reproach, to censure, to blame, to bring shame upon, to publicly accuse
Root / Etymology
Derived from μῶμος (mômos), meaning 'blame', 'disgrace', 'reproach', or 'fault'. The verb is a denominative formed with the verbal ending -άομαι from the noun μῶμος, thus meaning 'to cast blame', 'to reproach'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
μωμάομαι appears primarily in post-classical (late Classical, Hellenistic, and Koine Greek) literature, and is attested in the Septuagint and the New Testament (e.g., 2 Corinthians 6:3). Its use frequently implies an act of public accusing or shaming, rather than discreet or internal criticism. In classical Greek, μώμησις (mōmēsis) and related terms carried a similar meaning, often with a stronger nuance of mockery or abuse. In the Septuagint, the verb can be used for shaming, blaming, or bringing reproach, sometimes in legal or social contexts. In the New Testament, it can refer to causing reproach on one's ministry or community. Common English translations such as 'blame', 'criticize', or 'find fault with' approximate the meaning but may not fully capture the overtone of public reproach involved. The verb is related to but distinct from ἐπιτιμάω ('to rebuke') or ὀνειδίζω ('to insult, reproach'), which can carry stronger connotations of rebuke or outright insult.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from μῶμος; to carp at, i.e. censure (discredit):--blame.
Root Family
μωμ- (amṓmētos) — to find fault, to blame, to censure
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3469-01 |
μωμήσηται | momesetai | V AOR MID SUBJ 3P SG |
should blame | might reproach | might reproach | 1 |
G3469-02 |
μωμηθῇ | momethe | V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG |
be blamed | might be reproached | might be reproached | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3469-02 |
2 Corinthians 6:3 | μωμηθῇ | momethe | V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG |
be blamed | might be reproached | might be reproached |
G3469-01 |
2 Corinthians 8:20 | μωμήσηται | momesetai | V AOR MID SUBJ 3P SG |
should blame | might reproach | might reproach |