μέμφομαι
mémphomai
G3201 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To express blame or reproach, to censure, often with a sense of disappointment or criticism. In certain contexts, denotes holding someone accountable for a failing, fault, or shortcoming. The primary sense is that of actively or verbally reproaching or charging someone (or oneself) with blame, but may also extend to internal or implicit criticism.
Semantic Range
to blame, to reproach, to find fault, to express disappointment, to censure, to criticize, to charge with fault, to hold accountable, to express dissatisfaction
Root / Etymology
Etymology uncertain. Possibly related to a now-lost primary verb in Greek, as no clear cognates or derivations exist in classical literature. No certain link with other Greek roots. Some have suggested onomatopoeic origin due to the 'mem-' syllable's connotation of murmuring or complaint, but this remains speculative.
Historical & Contextual Notes
μέμφομαι is found in the middle (deponent) voice and occurs in classical, Hellenistic, and Koine Greek. The verb often conveys a sense of explicit reproach, distinct from related verbs such as αἰτιάομαι ('to accuse', frequently with formal or legal connotations) or ἐπιτιμάω ('to rebuke' or 'to warn with authority'). In both the Septuagint and New Testament, μέμφομαι tends to describe personal, moral, or interpersonal criticism rather than judicial accusation. The term often occurs in rhetorical or philosophical contexts expressing disappointment, fault-finding, or the attribution of blame—sometimes even self-reproach. English translations often render the word as 'blame,' 'find fault,' or 'reproach,' yet may not always capture its nuanced affective or interpersonal tone. New Testament occurrences (e.g. Hebrews 8:8) reflect Greek usage current in the period, showing it as a term for God's or a person's expression of blame or dissatisfaction. The semantic scope is narrower than some Hebrew equivalents (e.g., לָנַת/לָהַן), which encompass broader ideas of complaint or lament.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
middle voice of an apparently primary verb; to blame:--find fault.
Root Family
μεμφ- (mémphomai) — to blame, to find fault, to censure
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3201-01 |
μέμφεται | memphetai | V PRS MID IND 3P SG |
finds fault | he/she reproaches | he reproaches | 1 |
G3201-02 |
μεμφόμενος | memphomenos | V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG |
finding fault | finding fault | finding fault | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3201-01 |
Romans 9:19 | μέμφεται | memphetai | V PRS MID IND 3P SG |
finds fault | he/she reproaches | he reproaches |
G3201-02 |
Hebrews 8:8 | μεμφόμενος | memphomenos | V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG |
finding fault | finding fault | finding fault |