from ἐν and νεύω; to nod at, i.e. beckon or communicate by gesture:--make signs.
Transliteration:enneúō
Pronunciation:en-nyoo'-o
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἐννεύω (G1770), transliterated as *enneúō*, is a compound word derived from the preposition ἐν (en), meaning "in" or "at," and the verb νεύω (neúō), meaning "to nod" or "to beckon." Its core meaning is "to nod at" or "to make a sign towards." The semantic range of ἐννεύω encompasses any form of non-verbal communication through gesture, particularly involving a nod of the head or a hand motion, used to convey a message or elicit a response. It implies communication that is silent, often due to an inability to speak, a need for discretion, or a physical impediment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἐννεύω (G1770) appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Luke:
* **[[Luke 1:62]]**: "And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called."
* This solitary occurrence is found in the narrative surrounding the birth of John the Baptist. Zechariah, John's father, had been struck mute and deaf by the angel Gabriel as a sign and consequence of his disbelief regarding the angel's announcement of a son in his old age ([[Luke 1:20]]). When the time came for the child's circumcision and naming, the relatives assumed he would be named after his father. When Elizabeth declared his name was to be John, they appealed to Zechariah. Since he could not speak, the relatives "made signs" (ἐννεύω) to him, seeking his confirmation or alternative suggestion for the child's name. Zechariah then requested a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John," at which point his speech was immediately restored ([[Luke 1:63-64]]).
* The use of ἐννεύω in this context vividly portrays Zechariah's temporary physical limitation and the necessity of non-verbal communication. It underscores the divine nature of his affliction and the miraculous intervention that both imposed and lifted it. The act of "making signs" highlights the gravity and urgency of the decision regarding the child's name, which carried significant theological weight.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **νεύω (neúō)**: The root verb `{{G3506}}`, meaning "to nod," "to beckon," or "to give a sign." This is the fundamental action from which ἐννεύω is derived.
* **κωφός (kōphos)**: `{{G2974}}`, meaning "mute" or "deaf." This adjective describes Zechariah's condition, which necessitated the use of ἐννεύω.
* **σημεῖον (sēmeion)**: `{{G4592}}`, meaning "sign" or "miracle." Zechariah's muteness was itself a divine sign ([[Luke 1:20]]), and his communication through ἐννεύω was a form of making signs.
* **Non-verbal communication**: The broader concept of conveying meaning without spoken words, encompassing gestures, body language, and facial expressions. ἐννεύω specifically refers to beckoning or communicating through a nod or similar gesture.
* **Divine judgment/sign**: Zechariah's muteness was a temporary judgment for his unbelief, serving also as a sign of the truth of Gabriel's message.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of ἐννεύω (G1770) in the New Testament, though unique, carries significant theological weight within the narrative of John the Baptist's birth.
1. **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**: Zechariah's muteness was not an accident but a divinely imposed condition, a consequence of his doubt in God's word delivered by Gabriel. The necessity for his family to "make signs" to him underscores God's absolute control over human faculties and communication. This temporary judgment served as a powerful lesson to Zechariah and a sign to all present of the seriousness of God's promises.
2. **The Power of the Spoken Word**: The inability of Zechariah to speak, necessitating ἐννεύω, stands in stark contrast to the power of the spoken word, especially when it aligns with God's will. His speech is restored precisely when he writes and affirms the name "John," signifying his belief and obedience to the divine command. This highlights the sacredness and authority of speech when it is used to declare God's truth, particularly in contrast to silence born of unbelief.
3. **God's Unthwarted Plan**: Even with Zechariah's temporary impediment, God's plan for the naming of John the Baptist proceeds without hindrance. The communication through ἐννεύω facilitates this crucial step in salvation history, demonstrating that God's purposes are not thwarted by human limitations or even by human doubt. The divine will finds a way, even through silent gestures.
4. **Preparation for the Messiah**: The birth and naming of John are pivotal events, marking the end of a long period of prophetic silence and the immediate precursor to the coming of the Messiah. The silent communication of ἐννεύω in this moment precedes the breaking forth of a new era of prophetic declaration through John, who would "prepare the way of the Lord."
### Summary
ἐννεύω (G1770) is a Greek verb signifying communication by gesture, particularly through nodding or beckoning. Its sole New Testament occurrence in [[Luke 1:62]] describes Zechariah's family making signs to him due to his divinely imposed muteness, as they sought his input on naming his son, John the Baptist. This moment underscores several profound theological truths: God's sovereign power to impose and remove physical limitations, the consequence of unbelief, the ultimate triumph of God's plan despite human impediments, and the stark contrast between the silence of doubt and the powerful restoration of speech upon affirmation of God's word. The act of ἐννεύω serves as a poignant detail in the unfolding narrative of salvation history, bridging a moment of human limitation with the divine fulfillment of prophecy.
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