Word Study for G3392 (μιαίνω)

miaínō /me-ah'-ee-no/ Ask about this word

Rootperhaps a primary verb

Meaningto sully or taint, i.e. contaminate (ceremonially or morally)

KJV usagedefile.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of miaínō — 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 miaínō, represented by G3392, means to sully or taint. It is used to describe contamination, whether ceremonial or moral. According to usage statistics, it appears 5 times across 4 unique verses in the Bible, highlighting its specific application to the concept of being defiled.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical text, G3392 is applied in both literal and figurative ways. A key example of ceremonial defilement is found in John 18:28, where individuals refuse to enter the judgment hall so they would not be defiled and could eat the passover. In contrast, its moral application is seen in Titus 1:15, which states that for those who are defiled and unbelieving, even their mind and conscience are defiled. This extends the meaning from an external act to an internal state of corruption. This concept is further illustrated in Jude 1:8, where "filthy dreamers" are said to defile the flesh.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning and context of being defiled:

G2513 katharós (clean, clear, pure): This word is presented as the direct opposite of G3392. In Titus 1:15, a contrast is drawn: "Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled... is nothing pure."
G4893 syneídēsis (conscience): This term is explicitly linked to defilement in Titus 1:15, which notes that for the unbelieving, their "mind and conscience is defiled," indicating a deep internal corruption.
G4088 pikría (bitterness): This is identified as a source of defilement. Hebrews 12:15 warns against letting a "root of bitterness" spring up, which can defile many people.
G4561 sárx (flesh): This term is the object of defilement in Jude 1:8, where certain individuals defile the flesh while also despising authority.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G3392 is significant in understanding the biblical concept of sin and purity.

Internal and External Defilement: The term is used to describe both the breaking of ceremonial rules, an external action John 18:28, and a deep-seated moral corruption of the inner self, affecting the mind and conscience Titus 1:15.
The Source of Contamination: Scripture points to internal states like unbelief Titus 1:15 and bitterness Hebrews 12:15 as sources that lead to defilement, which can then spread and trouble many.
Defilement and Rebellion: In Jude 1:8, defiling the flesh is listed alongside acts of rebellion such as despising dominion and speaking evil of dignities, linking moral impurity with a rejection of divine order.

Summary

In summary, G3392 provides a crucial understanding of defilement that goes beyond simple uncleanness. It illustrates a state of being contaminated, either by violating a ceremonial law or, more profoundly, through a moral corruption that taints the flesh, mind, and conscience. The word demonstrates that what defiles a person can be rooted internally in bitterness and unbelief, ultimately leading to corrupt actions.

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

Aorist Passive Subjunctive 3rd Plural 2×
Perfect Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Perfect Passive Participle Dative Plural Masculine 1×
Present Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×

Dative: The indirect object — often "to" or "for".
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
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.
Perfect: A completed act whose results continue.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Subjunctive: Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

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.

John

Titus

Hebrews

Jude

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.