ἐλούετο

loúō

went down

To wash or bathe, especially to cleanse the entire body with water. In various contexts, can refer to ritual or physical washing, including bathing for purification, preparation for entry into sacred spaces, or normal bodily cleanliness. Distinct from terms meaning to wash part of the body (νίπτω) or to wash objects or garments (πλύνω).

G3068

John 5:4 · Word #6

Lexicon G3068

Lemmaλούω
Transliterationloúō
Strong'sG3068
DefinitionTo wash or bathe, especially to cleanse the entire body with water. In various contexts, can refer to ritual or physical washing, including bathing for purification, preparation for entry into sacred spaces, or normal bodily cleanliness. Distinct from terms meaning to wash part of the body (νίπτω) or to wash objects or garments (πλύνω).

Morphology V IMPF MID IND 3P SG All morphology codes

Part of Speech V — Verb — An action or state of being
Tense IMPF — Imperfect — Continuous or repeated past action
Voice MID — Middle — The subject acts on itself or in its own interest
Mood IND — Indicative — States a fact or reality
Person 3P — 3rd person — The one spoken about ("he/she/it/they")
Number SG — Singular — One

Common Translation

Phrasewent down
Literalwas-dipping/washing

Lexical Info

Lemmaλούω
Strong'sG3068

SIBI-P1 Translation G3068-01

was bathing himself

Morphological NotesVerb, imperfect tense, middle voice, indicative mood, 3rd person singular.
Rendering RationaleThe imperfect tense indicates ongoing or repeated past action ("was bathing"), and the middle voice reflects self-involvement or reflexive action ("himself"). The rendering preserves the root sense of washing the whole body.

View full lexicon entry for G3068 →

SILEX v2

SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)

was bathing himself

Same as P1Yes
Rationale'Was bathing himself' matches the reflexive imperfect; appropriate for the context per SILEX.