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μετέχω

metéchō

G3348 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To have a share in (something), to participate in, to partake of. The primary sense is to have a portion with others, leading to meanings such as participating in, sharing in, or taking part in some event, right, responsibility, or substance. In contexts where the object is food or drink, it means 'to partake' (i.e., to eat or drink together with others). By extension, it can mean to have a share in a quality, fate, or condition.

Semantic Range

to have a share in, to participate in, to partake of, to share in, to take part in, to belong to, to eat or drink together, to share a fate or quality

Root / Etymology

μετέχω is a compound formed from the preposition μετά ('with, among') and the verb ἔχω ('to have, hold'), thus yielding the sense of having or holding with (others), i.e., sharing or participating.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, μετέχω regularly means 'to partake of,' 'to share in,' or 'to participate in' (Plato, Aristophanes). In Hellenistic and Koine usage, including the Septuagint and New Testament, the core sense endures, applied to a range of shared experiences—legal, social, ritual, and physical. In New Testament texts, μετέχω often occurs in the context of participating in sacred meals or rituals (e.g., sharing the bread and cup of the Lord's Supper—1 Corinthians 10:17, 21; 1 Corinthians 9:12). The verb is also used to describe sharing or participating in abstract concepts, such as sufferings or blessings. English translations often render it 'to be a partaker of,' 'to share in,' or 'to participate,' but these may understate the intimacy or various forms of fellowship implied, especially where ritual or communal acts are in question. Unlike κοινωνέω, which emphasizes fellowship or partnership, μετέχω focuses more on having a share or portion in something, not necessarily implying equal partnership.

Translation Consistency

primary "share" 7 occurrences

"Share" is the most natural, versatile English verb that covers the primary senses of μετέχω—having a portion in something, participating in or partaking of (including food/drink), and sharing a fate or quality. It is common, easily inflected for all forms, and captures the typical usage better than the more formal or narrower alternatives (e.g., "partake").

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

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from μετά and ἔχω; to share or participate; by implication, belong to, eat (or drink):--be partaker, pertain, take part, use.

Root Family

μετ-ἐχ- (metéchō) — to have with, to hold with, to partake

Root μετ-ἐχ- to have with, to hold with, to partake

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3348-01 μετέχειν metechein V PRS ACT INF to partake to share in to share in 2
G3348-02 μετέχω metecho V PRS ACT IND 1P SG partake I share in I share in 1
G3348-03 μετέχομεν metechomen V PRS ACT IND 1P PL partake we share in we partake 1
G3348-04 μετέχων metechon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG partakes sharing sharing 1
G3348-05 μετέχουσιν metechousin V PRS ACT IND 3P PL share they share in they share in 1
G3348-06 μετέσχηκεν metescheken V PRF ACT IND 3P SG belongs has shared in has shared in 1
G3348-07 μετέσχεν meteschen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG shared shared in shared in 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3348-01 1 Corinthians 9:10 μετέχειν metechein V PRS ACT INF to partake to share in to share in
G3348-05 1 Corinthians 9:12 μετέχουσιν metechousin V PRS ACT IND 3P PL share they share in they share in
G3348-03 1 Corinthians 10:17 μετέχομεν metechomen V PRS ACT IND 1P PL partake we share in we partake
G3348-01 1 Corinthians 10:21 μετέχειν metechein V PRS ACT INF to partake to share in to share in
G3348-02 1 Corinthians 10:30 μετέχω metecho V PRS ACT IND 1P SG partake I share in I share in
G3348-07 Hebrews 2:14 μετέσχεν meteschen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG shared shared in shared in
G3348-04 Hebrews 5:13 μετέχων metechon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG partakes sharing sharing
G3348-06 Hebrews 7:13 μετέσχηκεν metescheken V PRF ACT IND 3P SG belongs has shared in has shared in
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