ὁμιλέω
homiléō
G3656 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To associate or spend time together with; to be in company with someone, often including conversation. The verb fundamentally denotes being together with others in a group context, frequently implying ongoing discussion, communication, or exchange of words, but can also mean simply maintaining company or social interaction without emphasis on talking.
Semantic Range
to be in company with, to accompany, to associate socially, to mingle, to interact, to converse, to discuss
Root / Etymology
Derived from ὅμιλος (homilos), meaning 'crowd,' 'company,' or 'throng,' with the verb suffix -έω indicating action or state. Thus, ὁμιλέω means 'to be with a group/crowd,' and by extension 'to associate,' 'to mingle,' or 'to converse.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ὁμιλέω primarily referred to associating or interacting socially, frequently used for companionship, company, or social mixing, not just for verbal communication. In Hellenistic and especially New Testament contexts, the nuance often expanded to include engaging in discussion or discourse—hence English translations like 'commune' or 'talk.' However, the emphasis remained on the social aspect of association, not strictly on spoken conversation. In the Septuagint and contemporary Greek literature, the verb might indicate either general company or more specific verbal interaction depending on context. English Bibles tend to translate the word as 'talk' or 'commune,' which may narrow its meaning in some passages, downplaying the broader nuance of simply being together or interacting socially. The related noun ὁμιλία (homilia) indicates companionship or social connection, not necessarily structured or formal conversation. This term is also the root for the later ecclesiastical term 'homily,' though such later connotations should not be read into Koine usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ὅμιλος; to be in company with, i.e. (by implication) to converse:--commune, talk.
Root Family
ὁμιλ- (homiléō) — to associate, to mingle, to accompany, to converse
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3656-01 |
ὡμίλει | omilei | V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG |
talked | he was associating | was talking | 1 |
G3656-02 |
ὁμιλεῖν | omilein | V PRS ACT INF |
talking | to associate | talking | 1 |
G3656-03 |
ὁμιλήσας | omilesas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having talked | having associated | having talked | 1 |
G3656-04 |
ὡμίλουν | omiloun | V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL |
were talking | they were associating | they were associating | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3656-04 |
Luke 24:14 | ὡμίλουν | omiloun | V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL |
were talking | they were associating | they were associating |
G3656-02 |
Luke 24:15 | ὁμιλεῖν | omilein | V PRS ACT INF |
talking | to associate | talking |
G3656-03 |
Acts 20:11 | ὁμιλήσας | omilesas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having talked | having associated | having talked |
G3656-01 |
Acts 24:26 | ὡμίλει | omilei | V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG |
talked | he was associating | was talking |