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μέλλω

méllō

G3195 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To be about (to do or to undergo) something, to be on the point of, to intend, to be destined or expected to (do or undergo); generally indicates imminence or a futurity with a sense of intention, expectation, or necessity. The term can introduce an action that is impending or destined, and in some cases carries a modal force emphasizing inevitability or obligation.

Semantic Range

to be about to (do), to be on the point of (doing or happening), to intend, to be destined to, to be likely to, to be due to happen, to be expected to, to be obliged or bound to (in some contexts)

Root / Etymology

From the root μελλ-, distinct from μέλω ('to care for'), though related historically in Indo-European development. The phonetic similarity has led to occasional confusion in ancient texts, but standard lexicography treats μέλλω as a distinct verb expressing futurity or imminence rather than concern or care.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, μέλλω typically means 'to be about to,' especially with an infinitive (e.g., μέλλει ποιεῖν — 'he is about to do'). It retains this core sense through Hellenistic and Koine Greek. In the Septuagint and New Testament, μέλλω can denote both an action that is immediately impending and one that is certain or destined in the future, sometimes with a nuance of divine appointment or necessity. The verb's force can vary with context—ranging from an imminent occurrence ('is about to happen') to an intended or expected outcome. English translations sometimes flatten this nuance by merely rendering as 'will' or 'shall,' but the Greek stresses expectation, preparation, or imminence. μέλλω is often used with an infinitive, and its aspect may overlap with modals such as 'ought,' 'must,' or 'destined to.' It does not, however, innately imply volition or emotional investment, setting it apart from verbs of desire or care. The difference between μέλλω and other Greek future forms is the focus on what is just about to occur or is set to occur, often in situations involving a prophecy, necessity, or predetermined plan.

Translation Consistency

primary "be about to" 16 occurrences

mellō most commonly marks imminence or an action on the point of happening. The periphrastic English phrasing “be about to” naturally and consistently captures the typical senses (imminence, expected/destined action, intention or obligation) across contexts better than single-word alternatives like “intend” (too volitional) or “be” (too general). Using “be about to” allows uniform, natural translations for all forms of G3195.

Alternatives (93 occurrences):
"to" (77x) "be" (5x) "those being about to" (4x) "those about to" (3x) "coming" (2x) "age to come" (1x) "give birth" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a strengthened form of μέλω (through the idea of expectation); to intend, i.e. be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probability, possibility, or hesitation):--about, after that, be (almost), (that which is, things, + which was for) to come, intend, was to (be), mean, mind, be at the point, (be) ready, + return, shall (begin), (which, that) should (after, afterwards, hereafter) tarry, which was for, will, would, be yet.

Root Family

μέλλω (mellō) — to be about to, to intend, to be destined, to expect

Root μελλ- to be about to, to intend, to be destined, to expect

Word Forms

21 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3195-04 μέλλει mellei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG is about is about to is about to 16
G3195-01 ἤμελλεν emellen V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG was about was about to he was about to 14
G3195-12 μέλλων mellon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG intending being about to being about to 12
G3195-17 μελλόντων mellonton V PRS ACT PTCP GEN N PL about to come of the things about to be of the things about to be 8
G3195-13 μέλλοντα mellonta V PRS ACT PTCP ACC N PL things to come the things about to be the things about to be 6
G3195-05 μέλλειν mellein V PRS ACT INF to be to be about to to be about to 6
G3195-20 μελλούσης mellouses V PRS ACT PTCP GEN F SG coming of the one about to be about to be 6
G3195-18 μέλλοντος mellontos V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG to come of the one about to be of the one who is about to be 6
G3195-16 μέλλοντι mellonti V PRS ACT PTCP DAT M SG to come to the one about to age to come 4
G3195-19 μέλλουσαν mellousan V PRS ACT PTCP ACC F SG to come being about to being about to 4

Occurrences in Scripture

109 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3195-04 Matthew 2:13 μέλλει mellei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG is going is about to is about to
G3195-20 Matthew 3:7 μελλούσης mellouses V PRS ACT PTCP GEN F SG coming of the one about to be about to be
G3195-12 Matthew 11:14 μέλλων mellon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG who was being about to being about to
G3195-16 Matthew 12:32 μέλλοντι mellonti V PRS ACT PTCP DAT M SG to come to the one about to to the one about to
G3195-04 Matthew 16:27 μέλλει mellei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG is going to is about to is about to
G3195-04 Matthew 17:12 μέλλει mellei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG is about is about to is about to
G3195-04 Matthew 17:22 μέλλει mellei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG is about is about to is about to
G3195-10 Matthew 20:22 μέλλω mello V PRS ACT IND 1P SG am about I am about to I am about to
G3195-07 Matthew 24:6 μελλήσετε mellesete V FUT ACT IND 2P PL you will be about to you will be about to you will be about to
G3195-13 Mark 10:32 μέλλοντα mellonta V PRS ACT PTCP ACC N PL things that were going the things about to be the things about to be
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