σαίνω (G4525) — Greek Lexicon

σαίνω

saínō

G4525 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To wag or move to and fro, often with an implication of fawning or ingratiation; by extension, to flatter or seek favor by insincere means. In contexts where σαίνω appears, it frequently describes a sycophantic gesture, similar to a dog's wagging tail, symbolizing an attempt to win favor through submissive or complimentary behavior. The term may also carry the more general sense of shaking or agitating, though the figurative sense of flattering is predominant in Koine Greek literature.

Semantic Range

to wag (as a tail), to move back and forth, to shake, to fawn, to flatter, to ingratiate oneself, to cajole, to seek favor (especially in a sycophantic or insincere manner)

Root / Etymology

From the root σείω (to shake, move to and fro), with σαίνω derived idiomatically, relating to the wagging motion; ultimately of uncertain further derivation, but possibly onomatopoeic or imitative in formation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

σαίνω is rarely attested in classical Greek, but appears in later and Koine sources, including the Septuagint (LXX) and occasionally in the New Testament era. The meaning has shifted from a physical motion (to wag or shake) to a metaphorical sense focused on fawning, cajoling, or insincere flattery, drawing its imagery from the behavior of a dog wagging its tail to please its master. The comparison to a dog's ingratiating behavior was already a settled idiom by the Hellenistic period. Standard English translations sometimes underplay the sycophantic or ingratiating meaning by rendering as 'move' or 'disturb,' missing the nuance of flattery or subservience embedded in the Greek. σαίνω is distinct from other Greek verbs for shaking or disturbing (like σεισμός for earthquake) by its focus on purposeful, fawning motion, often for manipulative intent.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

akin to σείω; to wag (as a dog its tail fawningly), i.e. (generally) to shake (figuratively, disturb):--move.

Root Family

σαίνω (sainō) — to wag, to shake, to fawn, to flatter, to ingratiate oneself

Root σαίν- to wag, to shake, to flatter, to ingratiate oneself

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G4525-01`	σαίνεσθαι	sainesthai	`V PRS PASS INF`	should be shaken	to be fawned upon	to be shaken	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G4525-01`	1 Thessalonians 3:3	σαίνεσθαι	sainesthai	`V PRS PASS INF`	should be shaken	to be fawned upon	to be shaken

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