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πνέω

pnéō

G4154 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To breathe, to blow (of air); in reference to wind or breath, to move air by expelling or passing through. The core sense is the act of breathing or causing air to move, and by extension, is frequently used of natural or metaphorical winds that blow, as well as of persons or animals breathing.

Semantic Range

to breathe, to blow (as wind), to exhale, to cause air to move, to gust

Root / Etymology

Appears to be a primary verb of onomatopoeic origin, imitating the sound of breathing or blowing; directly related to the noun πνεῦμα, 'breath, wind, spirit.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, πνέω primarily referred to the physical act of breathing or blowing, whether by a living creature or by the natural movement of wind. By the Hellenistic and Koine periods, the verb is especially common in descriptions of weather or the movement of air (e.g., winds blowing on the sea). In the New Testament, πνέω is used in literal narrative contexts (e.g., describing wind blowing, Matthew 7:25, John 3:8) and never metaphorically for spiritual inspiration, unlike its cognate noun πνεῦμα. The verb is occasionally set in contrast with ψύχω (G5594, 'to cool by blowing'), though ψύχω focuses on the cooling aspect or 'breath of life' ceasing, whereas πνέω covers the active exhalation or flow of air. Standard English translations as 'blow' or 'breathe' accurately reflect its usage in context, but do not convey the subtle overlap of physical and atmospheric senses present in Koine Greek. The word does not typically have specialized religious or theological connotations in Koine sources.

Translation Consistency

primary "blow" 5 occurrences

πνέω most often describes wind or air moving (blowing) and is commonly rendered in English as “blow/blew/blowing.” Choosing “blow” covers both wind and the act of expelling air (e.g. “he blew on them”) and matches the typical NT usage and the distribution of English renderings in the P2 data.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):
"blew" (2x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primary word; to breathe hard, i.e. breeze:--blow. Compare ψύχω.

Root Family

πνέω (pneō) — to breathe, to blow, to exhale, to move air

Root πνεϝ- to breathe, to blow

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4154-01 ἔπνευσαν epneusan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL blew they breathed blew 2
G4154-04 πνέοντα pneonta V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M SG blowing breathing blowing 1
G4154-06 πνεούσῃ pneouse V PRS ACT PTCP DAT F SG blowing to a breathing blowing 1
G4154-05 πνέοντος pneontos V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG blowing of blowing blowing 1
G4154-02 πνέῃ pnee V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P SG blow may breathe might blow 1
G4154-03 πνεῖ pnei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG blows is blowing blows 1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4154-01 Matthew 7:25 ἔπνευσαν epneusan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL blew they breathed blew
G4154-01 Matthew 7:27 ἔπνευσαν epneusan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL blew they breathed blew
G4154-04 Luke 12:55 πνέοντα pneonta V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M SG blowing breathing blowing
G4154-03 John 3:8 πνεῖ pnei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG blows is blowing blows
G4154-05 John 6:18 πνέοντος pneontos V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG blowing of blowing blowing
G4154-06 Acts 27:40 πνεούσῃ pneouse V PRS ACT PTCP DAT F SG blowing to a breathing blowing
G4154-02 Revelation 7:1 πνέῃ pnee V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P SG blow may breathe might blow
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