παραμυθέομαι (G3888) — Greek Lexicon

παραμυθέομαι

paramythéomai

G3888 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To speak soothingly, to console or encourage by means of gentle words; to provide comfort or reassurance, often through personal interaction or verbal persuasion. The term primarily refers to the act of consoling or encouraging someone, especially in circumstances of distress or uncertainty, through kindly and supportive speech. Secondary senses include the broader act of persuading or advising gently.

Semantic Range

to console, to comfort, to encourage, to reassure, to persuade gently, to speak soothingly

Root / Etymology

Formed from the preposition παρά ('beside, near') and a derivative of μῦθος ('speech, story, word'); literally, 'to speak beside/with' someone. The verb embodies the idea of coming alongside to speak supportive words.

Historical & Contextual Notes

παραμυθέομαι appears in Hellenistic and Koine Greek literature with the sense of consoling, encouraging, or gently persuading, typically through direct personal address. In the Septuagint, it is used when speakers offer encouragement or comfort, often in imitation of Hebrew נחם (nacham, 'to comfort'). In the New Testament, especially in contexts like John 11:19 and 1 Thessalonians 2:11, it refers to speaking with those in grief or need, providing encouragement or consolation through personal interaction. It is distinct from παρακαλέω, which can include broader senses of 'calling alongside' or exhorting; παραμυθέομαι emphasizes the gentle, comforting aspect of communication. Traditional English translations often render it 'comfort' or 'encourage,' but may not capture the full nuance of soothing, personal speech implied in the original.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from παρά and the middle voice of a derivative of μῦθος; to relate near, i.e. (by implication) encourage, console:--comfort.

Root Family

παραμυθέομαι (paramythéomai) — to speak, to console, to encourage

Root μυθ- to speak, to relate, to console

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G3888-03`	παραμυθούμενοι	paramuthoumenoi	`V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL`	comforting	those speaking comfort alongside	comforting	2
`G3888-02`	παραμυθήσωνται	paramuthesontai	`V AOR MID SUBJ 3P PL`	they might comfort	they might offer comfort	they might offer comfort	1
`G3888-01`	παραμυθεῖσθε	paramutheisthe	`V PRS MID IMP 2P PL`	comfort	be consoling with your words	comfort	1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G3888-02`	John 11:19	παραμυθήσωνται	paramuthesontai	`V AOR MID SUBJ 3P PL`	they might comfort	they might offer comfort	they might offer comfort
`G3888-03`	John 11:31	παραμυθούμενοι	paramuthoumenoi	`V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL`	comforting	those speaking comfort alongside	comforting
`G3888-03`	1 Thessalonians 2:12	παραμυθούμενοι	paramuthoumenoi	`V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL`	comforting	those speaking comfort alongside	comforting
`G3888-01`	1 Thessalonians 5:14	παραμυθεῖσθε	paramutheisthe	`V PRS MID IMP 2P PL`	comfort	be consoling with your words	comfort

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