τολμάω (G5111) — Greek Lexicon

τολμάω

tolmáō

G5111 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To have the courage or confidence to undertake an action regarded as difficult, risky, or audacious; to dare, to venture, to be bold. In extended contexts, can denote assuming a risk or acting resolutely despite danger, opposition, or fear. The primary focus is on the act or decision to undertake an audacious or courageous deed, especially where potential consequences discourage action.

Semantic Range

to dare, to be bold, to attempt despite difficulty or danger, to undertake audaciously, to presume, to venture an action

Root / Etymology

From the noun τόλμα (boldness, daring), which may ultimately derive from the Indo-European root *tel- (“to carry out, accomplish, endure”). The relationship to τέλος (end, purpose) is debated and etymology uncertain beyond the early Greek period.

Historical & Contextual Notes

τολμάω appears in classical Greek as well as Koine, generally with the sense of 'to have the courage, to dare.' In classical sources (e.g., Herodotus, Plato), it may carry a negative connotation, such as reckless boldness or audacity, but often refers neutrally to the willingness to act in the face of danger or opposition. In the Septuagint (LXX), τολμάω is relatively rare but is used for instances of risking action against norms or threats. In the New Testament, it is used for both positive and neutral connotations—either as a commendation of courage or a description of impudence. English Bible translations sometimes flatten the nuance to 'be bold' or 'dare,' but the Greek term can imply both praiseworthy courage and presumptuous behavior, depending on context. Unlike θαρρέω (to be confident or courageous in feeling or disposition), τολμάω focuses on the venture—the actual decision or act to proceed, often in the face of risk or disapproval.

Translation Consistency

primary "dare" 16 occurrences

“Dare” is the most natural, common English verb that captures the primary SILEX sense—undertaking or attempting something audacious or risky. It matches the majority of attested renderings (dared/dare/dares) and easily covers related senses (venture, presume, be bold) while remaining simple and consistent for all inflected forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from (boldness; probably itself from the base of τέλος through the idea of extreme conduct); to venture (objectively or in act; while θαῤῥέω is rather subjective or in feeling); by implication, to be courageous:--be bold, boldly, dare, durst.

Root Family

τολμ- (tolmáō) — to dare, to venture, to undertake boldly

Root τολμ- to dare, to venture, to undertake boldly

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
G5112	τολμηρότερον	more boldly
G5113	τολμητής	audacious ones
G662	ἀποτολμάω	ventures with audacious boldness

Word Forms

10 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G5111-01`	ἐτόλμα	etolma	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG`	dared	was daring	was daring	4
`G5111-04`	τολμᾷ	tolma	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	Dare	he/she dares	he/she dares	3
`G5111-02`	ἐτόλμησέν	etolmesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	dared	he dared	he dared	2
`G5111-03`	ἐτόλμων	etolmon	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL`	they dared	they were daring	they dared	1
`G5111-05`	τολμᾶν	tolman	`V PRS ACT INF`	to speak	to dare	to dare	1
`G5111-06`	τολμῆσαι	tolmesai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to be bold	to dare	to dare	1
`G5111-07`	τολμήσας	tolmesas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	having dared	having dared	having dared	1
`G5111-08`	τολμήσω	tolmeso	`V FUT ACT IND 1P SG`	I will dare	I will dare	I will dare	1
`G5111-09`	τολμῶ	tolmo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I am bold	I dare	I dare	1
`G5111-10`	τολμῶμεν	tolmomen	`V PRS ACT IND 1P PL`	we dare	we dare	we dare	1

Occurrences in Scripture

16 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G5111-02`	Matthew 22:46	ἐτόλμησέν	etolmesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	did dare	he dared	he dared
`G5111-01`	Mark 12:34	ἐτόλμα	etolma	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG`	dared	was daring	was daring
`G5111-07`	Mark 15:43	τολμήσας	tolmesas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	having dared	having dared	having dared
`G5111-03`	Luke 20:40	ἐτόλμων	etolmon	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL`	they dared	they were daring	they dared
`G5111-01`	John 21:12	ἐτόλμα	etolma	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG`	dared	was daring	was daring
`G5111-01`	Acts 5:13	ἐτόλμα	etolma	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG`	dared	was daring	was daring
`G5111-01`	Acts 7:32	ἐτόλμα	etolma	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG`	dared	was daring	was daring
`G5111-04`	Romans 5:7	τολμᾷ	tolma	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	dares	he/she dares	he/she dares
`G5111-08`	Romans 15:18	τολμήσω	tolmeso	`V FUT ACT IND 1P SG`	I will dare	I will dare	I will dare
`G5111-04`	1 Corinthians 6:1	τολμᾷ	tolma	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	Dare	he/she dares	he/she dares
`G5111-06`	2 Corinthians 10:2	τολμῆσαι	tolmesai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to be bold	to dare	to dare
`G5111-10`	2 Corinthians 10:12	τολμῶμεν	tolmomen	`V PRS ACT IND 1P PL`	we dare	we dare	we dare
`G5111-04`	2 Corinthians 11:21	τολμᾷ	tolma	`V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P SG`	is bold	he/she dares	he/she dares
`G5111-09`	2 Corinthians 11:21	τολμῶ	tolmo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I am bold	I dare	I dare
`G5111-05`	Philippians 1:14	τολμᾶν	tolman	`V PRS ACT INF`	to speak	to dare	to dare
`G5111-02`	Jude 1:9	ἐτόλμησεν	etolmesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	dared	he dared	he dared

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