Herméneuó (2059 in Strong's Concordance) is a verb in Ancient Greek that means to interpret or to translate. Hermes, the Ancient Greek god, was the god of language and thought to be the inspiration behind the verb.
Two times that herméneuó is used it is a translation from one language to another. The first usage can be found in John's gospel to translate képhas into petros from Aramaic into Greek. Afterwards, the second time in John's gospel it is used to translate silóam into apostelló from Hebrew into Greek.
Finally, the last usage of herméneuó is found in Hebrews. This time it is used to give the meaning of the name Abraham rather than a translation of the name. Nevertheless, the translation does not carry ambiguity.
This verb is translated reasonably well into English, but can sometimes lose the sense that it is a direct translation as opposed to a vague interpretation.
Related Terms
The following terms are often used in connection with herméneuó:
herméneia - an interpretation, a translation
metherméneuó - to interpret, to translate
dierméneuó - to interpret, to translate
dierméneutés - an interpreter, a translater
duserméneutos - hard to interpret, hard to translate
Usage
Herméneuó is used a total of 3 times across 3 verses. Below is a list of all references in the New Testament:
He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).
John 1:42 ESV
and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.
John 9:7 ESV
and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.
Hebrews 7:2 ESV
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