Word Study for G3191 (μελετάω)

meletáō /mel-et-ah'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom a presumed derivative of μέλω

Meaningto take care of, i.e. (by implication) revolve in the mind

KJV usageimagine, (pre-)meditate.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of meletáō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word meletáō, represented by G3191, describes the act of taking care of something by revolving it in the mind. It appears 3 times across 3 unique verses, where it is translated as to premeditate, meditate, or imagine.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its scriptural usage, G3191 appears in contrasting contexts. In Mark, believers are instructed not to premeditate G3191 what they will say when delivered up for their faith, but to trust the Holy Ghost Mark 13:11. Conversely, Paul commands Timothy to meditate upon G3191 spiritual truths so that his profiting may appear to all 1 Timothy 4:15. In Acts, the word is used to describe how the heathen imagine G3191 vain things in rebellion Acts 4:25.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of G3191 in its different applications:

G4305 promerimnáō (to care (anxiously) in advance): Used in direct parallel with G3191, this word emphasizes a command against anxious forethought, contrasting it with reliance on the Holy Spirit's guidance Mark 13:11.
G4297 prokopḗ (progress, i.e. advancement): This word is presented as the positive outcome of proper meditation. Timothy is to meditate on doctrine so that his profiting becomes manifest 1 Timothy 4:15.
G2756 kenós (empty (literally or figuratively)): This describes the object of futile imagination. The people are said to imagine vain things G2756, highlighting the emptiness of thought that is not aligned with God's will Acts 4:25.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G3191 is seen in its contrasting applications.

Reliance on the Spirit: In times of persecution, believers are commanded not to premeditate G3191 their defense. This is a call to forsake self-reliant preparation and instead trust in the words given by the Holy Spirit in that very hour Mark 13:11.
A Tool for Spiritual Growth: The word is used as a direct command for spiritual discipline. Paul instructs Timothy to meditate G3191 on divine matters to ensure his spiritual profiting G4297 is visible to all 1 Timothy 4:15.
Contrast with Futile Thinking: The concept is also used to illustrate rebellious and pointless thought. The nations who rage G5433 are described as those who imagine G3191 vain things, demonstrating that mental energy directed against God is ultimately empty Acts 4:25.

Summary

In summary, G3191 is a term whose significance depends entirely on its object and context. It can describe a forbidden, anxious self-reliance Mark 13:11, a required spiritual exercise for growth 1 Timothy 4:15, or the futile plotting of those who oppose God Acts 4:25. The word illustrates the critical distinction between God-centered meditation that leads to profiting and worldly imagination that results in vanity.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 3 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Present Active Imperative 2nd Plural 1×
Present Active Imperative 2nd Singular 1×

Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 3 verses across 3 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Mark, Acts, and 1 Timothy (1 verse each); never once in the other 24.

Mark

Acts

1 Timothy

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.