ὕμνος
hýmnos
G5215 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A song of praise, especially one addressed to a deity; in broader contexts, a song of celebration or laudation, typically formal in structure and content. In Hellenistic and early Roman Greek, refers to a poetic composition extolling gods, heroes, or notable persons. In the New Testament, denotes a song of praise to God, particularly used in collective worship settings.
Semantic Range
song of praise, hymn (to a deity), laudatory song, religious song, formal song of celebration, sacred ode
Root / Etymology
From the Greek root ὑμν- (hymn-), related to the act of singing or composing a song of praise. The exact origin is unclear, but it may relate to ancient Greek ᾄδω ('to sing'); etymology uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ὕμνος referred broadly to any song of praise, especially those dedicated to gods or legendary figures in both private and civic cults (e.g., Homer's Hymns). By the Hellenistic period and in the Septuagint, the term occasionally referred to Israelite psalms and liturgical singing. In the New Testament (notably Mark 14:26, Acts 16:25, Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16), ὕμνος appears alongside other terms like ψαλμός (psalmos, 'psalm') and ᾠδή (ōdē, 'song'), suggesting nuanced distinctions: ὕμνος being a praise song directed to God, sometimes distinguished from psalms (which could be broader in content or musical style), and from general odes (which could be more general poetry set to music). Early Christian usage reflects adaptation of both Greek and Israelite traditions of hymn composition. English translations usually render ὕμνος as 'hymn,' but may not always reflect the formality and function the word carried in ancient settings.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
apparently from a simpler (obsolete) form of (to celebrate; probably akin to ᾄδω; compare עֲבוֹט); a "hymn" or religious ode (one of the Psalms):--hymn.
Root Family
ὕμνος (hymnos) — song of praise, hymn, sacred song, laudatory ode
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5215-01 |
ὕμνοις | umnois | N DAT M PL |
hymns | to hymns | hymns | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5215-01 |
Ephesians 5:19 | ὕμνοις | umnois | N DAT M PL |
hymns | to hymns | hymns |
G5215-01 |
Colossians 3:16 | ὕμνοις | umnois | N DAT M PL |
hymns | to hymns | with hymns |