ἀποφθέγγομαι (G669) — Greek Lexicon

ἀποφθέγγομαι

apophthéngomai

G669 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To speak out or utter with emphasis; to declare or announce audibly and with clarity, often conveying a sense of public pronouncement or solemn proclamation. The verb emphasizes the act of speaking forth in a way that is deliberate, assertive, and typically intended for an audience. In some contexts, it bears the nuance of a formal or inspired pronouncement.

Semantic Range

to utter loudly or formally, to declare publicly, to enunciate with emphasis, to make an inspired or solemn pronouncement, to speak out, to proclaim

Root / Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἀπό ('from, out of') and the verb φθέγγομαι ('to utter, sound, speak'). The compound form intensifies the concept, expressing 'to speak forth' or 'to declare aloud.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀποφθέγγομαι is a rare verb and is typically found in contexts emphasizing formal speech or authoritative utterance. In Hellenistic usage, especially in the Septuagint and the New Testament (notably Acts 2:4, 2:14, 26:25), it often refers to public or inspired speech. The context of Acts 2 highlights its use for speech that is manifestly pronounced and carries authority or inspiration—distinguishing it from regular speaking (λαλεῖν or λέγειν). Traditional English translations use 'to declare,' 'to speak out,' or 'to utter,' but may not always convey the solemn or formal implications present in Greek. Not limited to religious or inspired contexts in Greek literature but carries heightened emphasis in these usages. Compared to related terms, φθέγγομαι is more general ('to sound, speak'), while ἀποφθέγγομαι conveys a stronger sense of pronounced, audible declaration and sometimes inspired speech.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀπό and φθέγγομαι; to enunciate plainly, i.e. declare:--say, speak forth, utterance.

Root Family

ἀποφθέγγομαι (apophthengomai) — to utter, to speak forth, to sound, to proclaim

Root φθέγγ- to utter, to speak, to sound

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G669-03`	ἀποφθέγγομαι	apophtheggomai	`V PRS MID IND 1P SG`	I speak	I declare aloud	I declare aloud	1
`G669-01`	ἀπεφθέγξατο	apephthegxato	`V AOR MID IND 3P SG`	addressed	he declared aloud	he declared aloud	1
`G669-02`	ἀποφθέγγεσθαι	apophtheggesthai	`V PRS MID INF`	utterance	to declare aloud	to declare aloud	1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G669-02`	Acts 2:4	ἀποφθέγγεσθαι	apophtheggesthai	`V PRS MID INF`	utterance	to declare aloud	to declare aloud
`G669-01`	Acts 2:14	ἀπεφθέγξατο	apephthegxato	`V AOR MID IND 3P SG`	addressed	he declared aloud	he declared aloud
`G669-03`	Acts 26:25	ἀποφθέγγομαι	apophtheggomai	`V PRS MID IND 1P SG`	I speak	I declare aloud	I declare aloud

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