Word Study for G3339 (μεταμορφόω)

metamorphóō /met-am-or-fo'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom μετά and μορφόω

Meaningto transform (literally or figuratively, "metamorphose")

KJV usagechange, transfigure, transform.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of metamorphóō — 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 metamorphóō, represented by G3339, means to transform, change, or transfigure. It is a potent term used to describe a profound change in form or nature. This word appears 4 times in 4 unique verses, highlighting its specific and significant applications in scripture.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G3339 is used in two primary ways. Firstly, it describes the physical and glorious transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain. This event, witnessed by Peter, James, and John, was a literal change where Jesus was transfigured before them Mark 9:2. His face was seen to shine as the sun, and his clothing became as white as light G5457 Matthew 17:2. Secondly, it is used figuratively to describe the spiritual transformation of a believer. Believers are commanded not to be conformed to the world but to be ye transformed by the renewing of their minds Romans 12:2. This ongoing process changes believers into the same image G1504 of the Lord 2 Corinthians 3:18.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the nature of this transformation:

G4964 syschēmatízō (to fashion alike, i.e. conform to the same pattern): This word is used in direct contrast to transformation, commanding believers not to be conformed to this world Romans 12:2.
G342 anakaínōsis (renovation): This term identifies the mechanism of a believer's transformation, which occurs through the renewing of the mind Romans 12:2.
G1504 eikṓn (a likeness, i.e. (literally) statue, profile, or (figuratively) representation, resemblance): This word defines the goal of the believer's transformation, which is to be changed into the Lord's image 2 Corinthians 3:18.
G3563 noûs (the intellect, i.e. mind): This is the faculty that undergoes renewal for transformation to take place, enabling believers to prove God's will Romans 12:2.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G3339 is significant, pointing to both Christ's nature and the Christian's journey.

Divine Revelation: The transfiguration of Jesus was not the acquisition of a new glory, but the momentary unveiling of His true, divine nature. His face did shine G2989 with a brilliance that was inherently His Matthew 17:2.
Spiritual Metamorphosis: For the believer, transformation is an internal process. It requires a decisive break from conforming G4964 to the world's patterns and is achieved by the renewing G342 of the mind G3563 Romans 12:2.
Progressive Sanctification: The change described in 2 Corinthians 3:18 is a continuous one, moving "from glory to glory." It is a progressive transformation into the image G1504 of the Lord, accomplished by the Spirit.

Summary

In summary, G3339 encapsulates a fundamental change of form and substance. It uniquely describes the radiant display of Christ's divine glory during His transfiguration and, in parallel, illustrates the believer's spiritual journey. This is a transformation away from worldly conformity and toward an inner renewal of the mind, with the ultimate purpose of reflecting the very image of the Lord.

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 4 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

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

Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
1st: First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
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.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.

Related Words

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

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 4 verses across 4 of the 27 books. 4 books tie for most frequent (1 verse each); never once in the other 23.

Matthew

Mark

Romans

2 Corinthians

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.