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φθέγγομαι

phthéngomai

G5350 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To utter a sound, especially in a clear or articulate manner; to make a public declaration or pronouncement, with an emphasis on the audible or formal character of the utterance. The primary sense is of vocalizing or speaking out, typically used for formal, elevated, or public speech and less so for ordinary conversation.

Semantic Range

to utter (articulately), to speak aloud, to pronounce, to make a public declaration, to proclaim (publicly or formally), to articulate (as of speech or cry), to enunciate

Root / Etymology

Related to the root φθέγγ-; possibly akin to φέγγος ('brightness, light') by association with clarity, and distantly related to φημί ('to say, to speak'), though the connection is probably analogical in Koine usage rather than strict derivation. The root conveys the sense of vocal or articulated sound rather than mere speech per se.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, φθέγγομαι primarily referred to emitting articulate sounds, whether by humans or animals, and often denoted a distinction from non-articulate or inarticulate noise. In Hellenistic and Koine contexts, including the Septuagint and New Testament, it came to be associated more with formal speaking, public proclamation, or announcing, especially matters spoken with authority or solemnity. The word tends to appear in elevated registers or in contexts implying the gravity or clarity of an utterance. In the New Testament (2 Pet 2:16, 2 Pet 2:18), φθέγγομαι refers to articulate speaking or declaring, sometimes with an ironic or negative nuance (e.g., empty or boastful pronouncements). Standard English translations often render it simply as 'speak' or 'utter,' but these may miss nuances of formality or emphasis on the public/audible aspect present in Greek. This verb is distinct from λαλέω (to talk, speak in general) and λέγω (to say, tell), which both have broader and more neutral fields of reference. In the Septuagint, it may sometimes translate Hebrew verbs denoting forceful or clear speaking.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably akin to φέγγος and thus to φημί; to utter a clear sound, i.e. (generally) to proclaim:--speak.

Root Family

φθέγγομαι (phthengomai) — to utter, to speak aloud, to proclaim

Root φθέγγ- to utter, to speak aloud, to proclaim

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5350-03 φθεγξάμενον phthegxamenon V AOR MID PTCP NOM N SG speaking having uttered aloud speaking aloud 1
G5350-01 φθέγγεσθαι phtheggesthai V PRS MID INF to speak to utter aloud to speak aloud 1
G5350-02 φθεγγόμενοι phtheggomenoi V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL speaking uttering aloud uttering aloud 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5350-01 Acts 4:18 φθέγγεσθαι phtheggesthai V PRS MID INF to speak to utter aloud to speak aloud
G5350-03 2 Peter 2:16 φθεγξάμενον phthegxamenon V AOR MID PTCP NOM N SG speaking having uttered aloud speaking aloud
G5350-02 2 Peter 2:18 φθεγγόμενοι phtheggomenoi V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL speaking uttering aloud uttering aloud
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