νηπιάζω
nēpiázō
G3515 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To behave in a manner characteristic of a very young child; to act in a childlike, immature, or naïve way. In extended, metaphorical use, to think or speak in an undeveloped or simplistic way, lacking maturity or full understanding.
Semantic Range
to act as a child, to be childish, to be immature, to possess unformed or naïve understanding, to behave without adult insight
Root / Etymology
From the adjective νήπιος (nēpios, 'infant, very young child'), with the verbal ending -άζω, forming a denominative verb indicating action like or as a child. Root: νήπιος + -άζω.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Hellenistic and Koine sources, including the New Testament (e.g., 1 Corinthians 14:20), νηπιάζω is employed metaphorically for immature thinking or naïveté, contrasting with adult understanding or maturity. The underlying noun νήπιος (literally 'not speaking,' i.e., infant) was used for babies or very young children, but both the noun and verb evolved metaphorically to describe immaturity of thought or action in adults. In classical Greek, the verb is rare but appears occasionally to denote becoming or acting like a child. In the Septuagint and contemporaneous Jewish-Greek literature, νηπιάζω could express both literal childlike behavior and figurative spiritual immaturity. English Bible translations often render it 'be children' or 'be childish,' but the nuance of unformed, undeveloped understanding is central to its New Testament usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from νήπιος; to act as a babe, i.e. (figuratively) innocently:--be a child.
Root Family
νήπιο- (nēpiázō) — to be childish, to behave immaturely, to act innocently
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3515-01 |
νηπιάζετε | nepiazete | V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL |
be infants | Act childishly | be infants | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3515-01 |
1 Corinthians 14:20 | νηπιάζετε | nepiazete | V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL |
be infants | Act childishly | be infants |