← G3198 G3200 →

μέλω

mélō

G3199 verb

SILEX Entry

Root μελ- to care, to matter, to be of concern

Definition

To be a matter of concern or interest, to have relevance or importance to someone. In Koine Greek, μέλω most commonly appears impersonally in the third person singular, indicating that something 'matters' to someone or is of concern. The sense is often abstract: to be an issue, to be cared about, to be regarded as significant. The verb does not generally convey active care or maintenance (unlike e.g. φροντίζω or ἐπιμελέομαι), but rather the state of something mattering or being of consequence.

Semantic Range

to be of concern, to matter, to be of interest, to be significant, to be important, to have relevance

Root / Etymology

From the root μελ- in Greek, related to the idea of care, interest, or concern. Cognate with μέλει (it matters, it concerns), with parallels in other Indo-European languages expressing emotional or affective concern. Not related etymologically to the noun μέλος (limb, member) or the noun μέλι (honey).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, μέλω is used primarily in impersonal constructions (μέλει μοι/σοι/αὐτῷ, etc.—'it matters to me/you/him'), expressing that something is of interest or concern. The verb is rarely used in other forms or tenses; personal forms are extremely rare, and most New Testament and Septuagint occurrences are in the impersonal third-person. Distinct from verbs implying active provision, protection, or management (see φροντίζω, to actively care for or attend to). In English Bible translations, often rendered with idioms like 'it matters,' 'it is of concern,' 'to care,' but this should not be confused with the more active role implied by 'care for.' The word carries a nuance of significance or consequence, rather than the acts of caring or tending. In Koine and NT usage, context usually involves discussions of what is important or relevant (e.g., "it does not matter to you"). The Greek noun μέλημα (care, concern) and related verb μεριμνάω (to be anxious, to worry) reflect different degrees and kinds of care, with μέλω being more neutral and impersonal.

Translation Consistency

primary "matter" 8 occurrences

Most natural and common rendering of μέλω’s impersonal sense (“it matters,” “it is of concern/importance”). It captures the typical range — to be of concern, to be of interest or significance — without implying active care or maintenance. Also matches the predominant attested translations (e.g. “matters”).

Alternatives (2 occurrences):
"concern" (2x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primary verb; to be of interest to, i.e. to concern (only third person singular present indicative used impersonally, it matters):--(take) care.

Root Family

μέλω (melō) — to matter, to be of concern, to be significant

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3199-02 μέλει melei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG cares it matters it matters 7
G3199-01 ἔμελεν emelen V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG mattered it was of concern it was of concern 2
G3199-03 μελέτω meleto V PRS ACT IMP 3P SG let it be a concern let it matter let it matter 1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3199-02 Matthew 22:16 μέλει melei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG you care it matters it matters
G3199-02 Mark 4:38 μέλει melei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG care it matters it matters
G3199-02 Mark 12:14 μέλει melei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG cares it matters it matters
G3199-02 Luke 10:40 μέλει melei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG care it matters it matters
G3199-02 John 10:13 μέλει melei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG cares it matters it matters
G3199-01 John 12:6 ἔμελεν emelen V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG he cared it was of concern it was of concern
G3199-01 Acts 18:17 ἔμελεν emelen V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG mattered it was of concern it was of concern
G3199-03 1 Corinthians 7:21 μελέτω meleto V PRS ACT IMP 3P SG let it be a concern let it matter let it matter
G3199-02 1 Corinthians 9:9 μέλει melei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG does ... care it matters does it matter
G3199-02 1 Peter 5:7 μέλει melei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG cares it matters it matters
← G3198 Greek Lexicon G3200 →