◄ 3309. merimnaó ►
Lexicon merimnaó: To be anxious, to worry, to care for Original Word: μεριμνάω Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: merimnaó Pronunciation: mer-im-NAH-oh Phonetic Spelling: (mer-im-nah'-o) Definition: To be anxious, to worry, to care for Meaning: I am over-anxious; with acc: I am anxious about, distracted; I care for. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to be anxious, distracted From merimna; to be anxious about -- (be, have) care(-ful), take thought. see GREEK merimna HELPS Word-studies 3309 merimnáō (from 3308 /mérimna, "a part, as opposed to the whole") – properly, drawn in opposite directions; "divided into parts" (A. T. Robertson); (figuratively) "to go to pieces" because pulled apart (in different directions), like the force exerted by sinful anxiety (worry). Positively, 3309 (merimnáō) is used of effectively distributing concern, in proper relation to the whole picture (cf. 1 Cor 12:25; Phil 2:20). 3809 (merimnaō ) is "an old verb for worry and anxiety – literally, to be divided, distracted" (WP, 2, 156). It is more commonly used in this negative sense in the NT. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin from merimna Definition to be anxious, to care for NASB Translation anxious (1), care (1), concerned (5), have...care (1), worried (4), worry (6), worrying (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3309: μεριμνάω μεριμνάω, μερίμνω future μεριμνήσω; 1 aorist subjunctive 2 person plural μεριμνήσητε; (μέριμνα); a. to be anxious; to be troubled with cares: absolutely, Matthew 6:27, 31; Luke 12:25; μηδέν μεριμνᾶτε, be anxious about nothing, Philippians 4:6; with the dative of the thing for the interests of which one is solicitous (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 31, 1 b.): τῇ ψυχή, about sustaining life, τῷ σώματι, Matthew 6:25; Luke 12:22; περί τίνος, about a thing, Matthew 6:28; Luke 12:26; εἰς τήν αὔριον, for the morrow, i. e. about what may be on the morrow, Matthew 6:34; followed by an indirect question πῶς ἤ τί, Matthew 10:19; Luke 12:11 (here Tr marginal reading omits; Tr text WH brackets ἤ τί); joined with τυρβάζεσθαι (θορυβάζεσθαι) followed by περί πολλά, Luke 10:41 (WH marginal reading omits) b. to care for, look out for (a thing); to seek to promote one's interests: τά ἑαυτῆς, Matthew 6:34 Rec.; τά τοῦ κυρίου, 1 Corinthians 7:32-34; τά τοῦ κόσμου, 1 Corinthians 7:34; ἑαυτῆς, Matthew 6:34 L T Tr WH (a usage unknown to Greek writers, although they put a genitive after other verbs of caring or providing for, as ἐπιμελεῖσθαι, φροντίζειν, προνόειν, cf. Krüger, § 47, 11; Winers Grammar, 205 (193); Buttmann, § 133, 25); τά περί τίνος, Philippians 2:20; ἵνα τό αὐτό ὑπέρ ἀλλήλων μεριμνῶσι τά μέλη, that the members may have the same care one for another, 1 Corinthians 12:25. (The Sept. for דָּאַג, to be anxious, Psalm 37:19 (); רָגַז, to be disturbed, annoyed in spirit, 2 Samuel 7:10; 1 Chronicles 17:9; in Greek writings from Xenophon, and Sophocles down.) (Compare: προμεριμνάω.) Topical Lexicon Word Origin: Derived from μέριμνα (merimna), meaning "care" or "anxiety." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for μεριμνάω, similar concepts of care and anxiety can be found in Hebrew words such as דָּאַג (da'ag, Strong's 1672), meaning "to be anxious" or "to fear," and חָשַׁב (chashab, Strong's 2803), which can mean "to think" or "to plan," often in contexts involving concern or consideration. Usage: The verb μεριμνάω is used in the New Testament to describe a state of anxiety or concern, often in the context of worry about material needs or worldly matters. It can also refer to a positive sense of caring or being concerned for others. Context: The term μεριμνάω appears in several key passages in the New Testament, often highlighting the tension between earthly concerns and spiritual priorities. In Matthew 6:25, Jesus instructs His followers, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?" (BSB). Here, μεριμνάω is used to caution against undue anxiety over material needs, emphasizing trust in God's provision. Similarly, in Philippians 4:6, Paul advises, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (BSB). This usage underscores the importance of prayer and reliance on God as an antidote to anxiety. However, μεριμνάω can also denote a positive concern, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:25, where Paul speaks of the body of Christ: "so that there should be no division in the body, but that its members should have mutual concern for one another" (BSB). Here, the term reflects a healthy, communal care among believers. Theologically, μεριμνάω invites reflection on the balance between responsible stewardship of earthly matters and the call to prioritize spiritual devotion and trust in God. It challenges believers to examine the sources of their anxieties and to seek peace through faith and community support. Forms and Transliterations μεριμνα μεριμνά μεριμνᾷ μερίμνα μεριμνας μεριμνάς μεριμνᾷς μεριμνατε μεριμνάτε μεριμνᾶτε μεριμνάτωσαν μεριμνησει μεριμνήσει μεριμνησητε μεριμνήσητε μεριμνήσω μεριμνων μεριμνών μεριμνῶν μεριμνώντι μεριμνωσι μεριμνώσι μεριμνῶσι μεριμνῶσιν merimna merimnā̂i merimnā̂is merimnas merimnate merimnâte merimnesei merimnēsei merimnḗsei merimnesete merimnēsēte merimnḗsete merimnḗsēte merimnon merimnôn merimnōn merimnō̂n merimnosin merimnôsin merimnōsin merimnō̂sin Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts Englishman's Concordance Matthew 6:25 V-PMA-2P GRK: ὑμῖν μὴ μεριμνᾶτε τῇ ψυχῇ NAS: I say to you, do not be worried about KJV: Take no thought for your INT: to you not be anxious about the life Matthew 6:27 V-PPA-NMS GRK: ἐξ ὑμῶν μεριμνῶν δύναται προσθεῖναι NAS: And who of you by being worried can KJV: Which of you by taking thought can add INT: out of you by being anxious is able to add Matthew 6:28 V-PMA-2P GRK: ἐνδύματος τί μεριμνᾶτε καταμάθετε τὰ NAS: And why are you worried about KJV: And why take ye thought for raiment? INT: clothing why are you anxious observe the Matthew 6:31 V-ASA-2P GRK: μὴ οὖν μεριμνήσητε λέγοντες Τί NAS: Do not worry then, saying, KJV: take no thought, saying, INT: not therefore be anxious saying What Matthew 6:34 V-ASA-2P GRK: μὴ οὖν μεριμνήσητε εἰς τὴν NAS: So do not worry about tomorrow; KJV: therefore no thought for the morrow: INT: Not therefore be anxious about things Matthew 6:34 V-FIA-3S GRK: γὰρ αὔριον μεριμνήσει ἑαυτῆς ἀρκετὸν NAS: for tomorrow will care for itself. KJV: the morrow shall take thought for the things INT: indeed tomorrow will be anxious about itself Sufficient Matthew 10:19 V-ASA-2P GRK: ὑμᾶς μὴ μεριμνήσητε πῶς ἢ NAS: they hand you over, do not worry about how KJV: take no thought how or INT: you not be anxious how or Luke 10:41 V-PIA-2S GRK: Μάρθα Μάρθα μεριμνᾷς καὶ θορυβάζῃ NAS: Martha, you are worried and bothered KJV: Martha, thou art careful and INT: Martha Martha you are anxious and troubled Luke 12:11 V-ASA-2P GRK: ἐξουσίας μὴ μεριμνήσητε πῶς ἢ NAS: and the authorities, do not worry about how KJV: take ye no thought how or INT: authorities not be anxious how or Luke 12:22 V-PMA-2P GRK: ὑμῖν μὴ μεριμνᾶτε τῇ ψυχῇ NAS: I say to you, do not worry about KJV: Take no thought for your life, INT: to you not Be anxious life Luke 12:25 N-GFS GRK: ἐξ ὑμῶν μεριμνῶν δύναται ἐπὶ NAS: And which of you by worrying can add KJV: of you with taking thought can add INT: of you [by] being anxious is able to Luke 12:26 V-PIA-2P GRK: τῶν λοιπῶν μεριμνᾶτε NAS: why do you worry about KJV: why take ye thought for INT: the rest are you anxious 1 Corinthians 7:32 V-PIA-3S GRK: ὁ ἄγαμος μεριμνᾷ τὰ τοῦ NAS: One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, KJV: He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to INT: The unmarried cares for the things of the 1 Corinthians 7:33 V-PIA-3S GRK: δὲ γαμήσας μεριμνᾷ τὰ τοῦ NAS: but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, KJV: he that is married careth for the things that are INT: however having been married cares for the things of the 1 Corinthians 7:34 V-PIA-3S GRK: ἡ παρθένος μεριμνᾷ τὰ τοῦ NAS: and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, KJV: The unmarried woman careth for the things INT: the virgin cares for the things of the 1 Corinthians 7:34 V-PIA-3S GRK: δὲ γαμήσασα μεριμνᾷ τὰ τοῦ NAS: but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, KJV: she that is married careth for the things INT: however having been married cares for the things of the 1 Corinthians 12:25 V-PSA-3P GRK: ὑπὲρ ἀλλήλων μεριμνῶσιν τὰ μέλη NAS: but [that] the members may have the same KJV: the same care one for INT: for one another might have concern the members Philippians 2:20 V-FIA-3S GRK: περὶ ὑμῶν μεριμνήσει NAS: will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. KJV: will naturally care for your INT: relative to you will care for Philippians 4:6 V-PMA-2P GRK: μηδὲν μεριμνᾶτε ἀλλ' ἐν NAS: Be anxious for nothing, KJV: Be careful for nothing; but INT: Nothing be anxious about but in Strong's Greek 3309 19 Occurrences μεριμνᾷ — 4 Occ. μεριμνᾷς — 1 Occ. μεριμνᾶτε — 5 Occ. μεριμνήσητε — 4 Occ. μεριμνήσει — 2 Occ. μεριμνῶν — 2 Occ. μεριμνῶσιν — 1 Occ.