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τολμάω

tolmáō

G5111 verb

SILEX Entry

Root τολμ- to dare, to venture, to undertake boldly

Definition

To have the courage or confidence to undertake an action regarded as difficult, risky, or audacious; to dare, to venture, to be bold. In extended contexts, can denote assuming a risk or acting resolutely despite danger, opposition, or fear. The primary focus is on the act or decision to undertake an audacious or courageous deed, especially where potential consequences discourage action.

Semantic Range

to dare, to be bold, to attempt despite difficulty or danger, to undertake audaciously, to presume, to venture an action

Root / Etymology

From the noun τόλμα (boldness, daring), which may ultimately derive from the Indo-European root *tel- (“to carry out, accomplish, endure”). The relationship to τέλος (end, purpose) is debated and etymology uncertain beyond the early Greek period.

Historical & Contextual Notes

τολμάω appears in classical Greek as well as Koine, generally with the sense of 'to have the courage, to dare.' In classical sources (e.g., Herodotus, Plato), it may carry a negative connotation, such as reckless boldness or audacity, but often refers neutrally to the willingness to act in the face of danger or opposition. In the Septuagint (LXX), τολμάω is relatively rare but is used for instances of risking action against norms or threats. In the New Testament, it is used for both positive and neutral connotations—either as a commendation of courage or a description of impudence. English Bible translations sometimes flatten the nuance to 'be bold' or 'dare,' but the Greek term can imply both praiseworthy courage and presumptuous behavior, depending on context. Unlike θαρρέω (to be confident or courageous in feeling or disposition), τολμάω focuses on the venture—the actual decision or act to proceed, often in the face of risk or disapproval.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from (boldness; probably itself from the base of τέλος through the idea of extreme conduct); to venture (objectively or in act; while θαῤῥέω is rather subjective or in feeling); by implication, to be courageous:--be bold, boldly, dare, durst.

Root Family

τολμάω (tolmaō) — to dare, to venture, to undertake boldly

Word Forms

10 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G5111-01 ἐτόλμα etolma V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG dared was daring 4
G5111-04 τολμᾷ tolma V PRS ACT IND 3P SG Dare he/she dares 3
G5111-02 ἐτόλμησέν etolmesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG dared he dared 2
G5111-06 τολμῆσαι tolmesai V AOR ACT INF to dare 1
G5111-05 τολμᾶν tolman V PRS ACT INF to speak to dare 1
G5111-09 τολμῶ tolmo V PRS ACT IND 1P SG I dare 1
G5111-07 τολμήσας tolmesas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having dared having dared 1
G5111-03 ἐτόλμων etolmon V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL they dared they were daring 1
G5111-10 τολμῶμεν tolmomen V PRS ACT IND 1P PL we dare 1
G5111-08 τολμήσω tolmeso V FUT ACT IND 1P SG I will dare I will dare 1

Occurrences in Scripture

16 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G5111-02 Matthew 22:46 ἐτόλμησέν etolmesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he dared
G5111-01 Mark 12:34 ἐτόλμα etolma V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG dared was daring
G5111-07 Mark 15:43 τολμήσας tolmesas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG having dared having dared
G5111-03 Luke 20:40 ἐτόλμων etolmon V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL they dared they were daring
G5111-01 John 21:12 ἐτόλμα etolma V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG dared was daring
G5111-01 Acts 5:13 ἐτόλμα etolma V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG dared was daring
G5111-01 Acts 7:32 ἐτόλμα etolma V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG dared was daring
G5111-04 Romans 5:7 τολμᾷ tolma V PRS ACT IND 3P SG he/she dares
G5111-08 Romans 15:18 τολμήσω tolmeso V FUT ACT IND 1P SG I will dare I will dare
G5111-04 1 Corinthians 6:1 τολμᾷ tolma V PRS ACT IND 3P SG Dare he/she dares
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