μεγαλαυχέω
megalauchéō
G3166
SILEX Entry
Definition
To boast in a grand or arrogant manner; to speak or act with self-aggrandizing pride. The term encompasses both verbal and behavioral expressions of excessive self-importance, often marked by flaunting one's own status, achievements, or abilities. In context, the verb typically refers to displays or proclamations intended to impress others with one's greatness or superiority, frequently implying arrogance or presumption.
Semantic Range
to boast grandly, to speak with arrogant presumption, to act with self-important pride, to make great or inflated claims, to flaunt one's greatness
Root / Etymology
From the adjective μέγας ('great') combined with the verb αὐχέω ('to boast, be proud'), forming a compound denoting lofty or excessive boasting. Connected to the root αὐξ-, meaning 'to increase' or 'to make great,' and semantically related to verbs like καυχάομαι ('to boast').
Historical & Contextual Notes
The verb μεγαλαυχέω is rare in classical Greek and emerges primarily in Hellenistic and Koine literary contexts, especially in moralizing or critical evaluations of human conduct (e.g. in Jewish-Hellenistic or early Christian writings). In the Septuagint and New Testament, it carries the connotation of grandiose or presumptuous boasting, sometimes with the sense of overstepping legitimate boundaries or displaying hubris against divine authority. Closely related in sense to the noun μεγαλαυχία ('arrogance, boastfulness'), as well as to the more general καυχάομαι ('to boast'), but distinguishes itself by the scale and excessively self-important or presumptuous tone. Standard English translations often render it as 'boast great things' or 'speak arrogantly,' but this may understate the nuance of self-exaltation or presumption inherent in the term. The verb does not merely denote ordinary bragging, but rather an outsized, sometimes defiant, self-exaltation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from a compound of μέγας and (to boast; akin to αὐξάνω and καυχάομαι); to talk big, i.e. be grandiloquent (arrogant, egotistic):--boast great things.
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 occurrences
No occurrences found.