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μένω

ménō

G3306 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To remain in a place or state, to continue to exist or stay; to persist or endure over time. The term denotes sustained presence, whether physically (to stay in a location), relationally (to continue in a relationship), or metaphorically (to persist in a state, activity, or condition). Also conveys remaining unchanged or steadfast, either in an external circumstance or an internal disposition.

Semantic Range

to remain in a place, to stay or wait, to continue in a relation, to persist in a state or condition, to endure or last, to not depart, to abide, to be steadfast, to be unchanged

Root / Etymology

μένω is a primary verb of uncertain etymology, attested from classical Greek onward. Its root form is stable throughout Greek literary tradition.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, μένω commonly describes remaining in a physical place (e.g., staying at home, waiting for someone, not departing), but it can also mean to endure or persist in a state or quality. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, the term retains these senses, appearing frequently in narrative and philosophical texts (for instance, of enduring misfortune or persistently adhering to a principle). In the Septuagint, μένω often renders Hebrew terms denoting steadfastness or enduring presence (e.g., עָמַד or שָׁכַן), expanding its metaphorical nuances. In the New Testament, μένω acquires significant metaphorical and relational connotations, such as abiding in a teaching, love, or relationship (e.g., 'abiding in Me,' John 15:4–7). English translation traditions sometimes narrow μένω to 'dwell' or 'abide,' but these do not always capture the breadth of the term’s physical, relational, and existential range. The verb differs from forms like διαμένω ('to remain through,' 'to persist') in emphasizing the general idea of remaining, without explicit reference to a process or completion.

Translation Consistency

primary "remain" 116 occurrences

“Remain” best captures the full semantic range of μένω — to stay in a place, continue in a relation, persist in a state, or endure unchanged. It is the most frequent natural rendering in the data, is idiomatic in modern English, and avoids the archaic tone of alternatives like “abide,” making it suitable for consistent use across all forms.

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

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primary verb; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy):--abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), X thine own.

Root Family

μένω (menō) — to remain, to stay, to persist, to endure

Root μεν- to remain, to stay, to persist, to endure

Word Forms

26 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3306-14 μένει menei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG remains he/she/it remains he/she/it remains 29
G3306-03 ἔμεινεν emeinen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG remained remained remained 10
G3306-22 μένον menon V PRS ACT PTCP ACC N SG abiding remaining remaining 10
G3306-18 μένετε menete V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL abide keep remaining keep remaining 7
G3306-08 μείνῃ meine V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG abides may remain may remain 6
G3306-06 μεῖναι meinai V AOR ACT INF to stay to remain to remain 6
G3306-19 μενέτω meneto V PRS ACT IMP 3P SG let him remain let him remain let him remain 5
G3306-15 μένειν menein V PRS ACT INF to remain to continue remaining to continue remaining 5
G3306-13 μένῃ mene V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P SG continue may remain may remain 5
G3306-25 μένουσαν menousan V PRS ACT PTCP ACC F SG abides remaining remaining 5

Occurrences in Scripture

118 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3306-07 Matthew 10:11 μείνατε meinate V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL stay Remain Remain
G3306-03 Matthew 11:23 ἔμεινεν emeinen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG it-would-have-remained remained remained
G3306-07 Matthew 26:38 μείνατε meinate V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL remain Remain Remain
G3306-18 Mark 6:10 μένετε menete V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL stay keep remaining keep remaining
G3306-07 Mark 14:34 μείνατε meinate V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL remain Remain Remain
G3306-03 Luke 1:56 ἔμεινεν emeinen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG stayed remained remained
G3306-04 Luke 8:27 ἔμενεν emenen V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG stayed was remaining was remaining
G3306-18 Luke 9:4 μένετε menete V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL stay keep remaining keep remaining
G3306-18 Luke 10:7 μένετε menete V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL remain keep remaining keep remaining
G3306-06 Luke 19:5 μεῖναι meinai V AOR ACT INF to stay to remain to remain
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