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ἐξομολογέω

exomologéō

G1843 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To acknowledge openly, to confess or declare publicly (often in the sense of admitting or avowing something, particularly sins or errors); in some contexts, to openly express thanks, praise, or agreement. The primary sense involves making something known or explicit, whether an admission, a declaration, or an act of public assent. The term can also reflect the act of thanksgiving or praise, especially directed toward a deity, in both private and public settings.

Semantic Range

to admit or confess (esp. sins or errors); to declare or acknowledge publicly; to agree fully or assent; to give thanks, to praise; to promise explicitly

Root / Etymology

From ἐκ (out of, from) and ὁμολογέω ('to confess, to agree, to declare'). The compound formation emphasizes an open, public, or explicit nature of the declaration, with the preposition ἐκ intensifying the act of open acknowledgment. Root: ἐξομολογ-

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek usage, ἐξομολογέω was used primarily in the sense of acknowledging or confessing something openly, often with the nuance of public declaration or admission. In the Septuagint (LXX), the verb frequently translates Hebrew terms for giving thanks or confessing (especially ידה, 'to praise, confess'), broadening its semantic range to include thanksgiving or praise, often addressed to God. In the New Testament and other Koine contexts, the word retains the sense of open confession—particularly of sins, faults, or allegiance—often in a communal or formal setting. It can refer either to the act of admitting wrongdoing or to the public declaration of praise or agreement. English translations usually render the term as 'confess' or, less frequently, as 'give thanks' or 'profess,' but these do not always capture the underlying connotations of publicity, openness, or the possible ambiguity between confession and praise. Unlike the simpler ὁμολογέω, which more generally means 'to confess, agree, acknowledge,' the prefix ἐξ- stresses the full or explicit nature of the act. The evolution in Hellenistic Jewish and early Christian usage, especially under the influence of the Septuagint, ensures that ἐξομολογέω can refer to both confession of sin and giving of thanks or praise, depending on context. Its use in early Christian liturgy often centers around public confession and acts of thanksgiving.

Translation Consistency

primary "confess" 9 occurrences

Exomologéō most commonly carries the sense of admitting or declaring openly—often sins or a public acknowledgment—and English Bibles standardly render it 'confess.' 'Confess' is natural and compact, covers public admission/acknowledgment and can extend to the sense of openly giving thanks or praise as an act of declaration, so it best preserves the typical NT usage while remaining consistent.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"promised" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐκ and ὁμολογέω; to acknowledge or (by implication, of assent) agree fully:--confess, profess, promise.

Root Family

ἐξομολογ- (exomologéō) — to confess openly, to acknowledge, to declare, to express thanks or praise

Root ἐξομολογ- to confess openly, to acknowledge, to declare, to express thanks or praise

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1843-06 ἐξομολογούμενοι exomologoumenoi V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL confessing openly confessing themselves openly confessing themselves 3
G1843-03 ἐξομολογήσεται exomologesetai V FUT MID IND 3P SG confess will openly confess himself will openly confess 2
G1843-05 ἐξομολογοῦμαί exomologoumai V PRS MID IND 1P SG I praise I openly confess I openly confess 2
G1843-01 ἐξομολογεῖσθε exomologeisthe V PRS MID IMP 2P PL Confess Openly confess yourselves Openly confess yourselves 1
G1843-02 ἐξωμολόγησεν exomologesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he promised he openly acknowledged he promised 1
G1843-04 ἐξομολογήσομαί exomologesomai V FUT MID IND 1P SG I will confess I will openly confess I will openly confess 1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1843-06 Matthew 3:6 ἐξομολογούμενοι exomologoumenoi V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL confessing openly confessing themselves openly confessing
G1843-05 Matthew 11:25 ἐξομολογοῦμαί exomologoumai V PRS MID IND 1P SG I praise I openly confess I openly confess
G1843-06 Mark 1:5 ἐξομολογούμενοι exomologoumenoi V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL confessing openly confessing themselves openly confessing themselves
G1843-05 Luke 10:21 ἐξομολογοῦμαί exomologoumai V PRS MID IND 1P SG I thank I openly confess I openly confess
G1843-02 Luke 22:6 ἐξωμολόγησεν exomologesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he promised he openly acknowledged he promised
G1843-06 Acts 19:18 ἐξομολογούμενοι exomologoumenoi V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL confessing openly confessing themselves openly confessing themselves
G1843-03 Romans 14:11 ἐξομολογήσεται exomologesetai V FUT MID IND 3P SG shall confess will openly confess himself will openly confess
G1843-04 Romans 15:9 ἐξομολογήσομαί exomologesomai V FUT MID IND 1P SG I will confess I will openly confess I will openly confess
G1843-03 Philippians 2:11 ἐξομολογήσηται exomologesetai V AOR MID SUBJ 3P SG confess will openly confess himself will openly confess
G1843-01 James 5:16 ἐξομολογεῖσθε exomologeisthe V PRS MID IMP 2P PL Confess Openly confess yourselves Openly confess yourselves
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