μιμνήσκω

mimnḗskō /mim-nace'-ko/ Ask about this word
Meaninga prolonged form of μνάομαι (from which some of the tenses are borrowed); to remind, i.e. (middle voice) to recall to mind
KJV usagebe mindful, remember.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word mimnḗskō, represented by G3403, means to recall to mind, to be mindful, or to remember. It is a prolonged form of μνάομαι and appears 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible. The term conveys an active state of remembrance, not merely a passive recollection of a past event.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical applications, G3403 is used in two distinct but related ways. In Hebrews 2:6, it is part of a quotation that questions the status of humanity, asking, "What is man, that thou art mindful of him?" Here, God's remembrance is presented as a profound act of attention and care. The second usage, in Hebrews 13:3, is an ethical command to believers: "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them," which calls for an active empathy and solidarity with those who are suffering.

Related Words & Concepts

Two related words appear in the same context as G3403, adding depth to its meaning:

  • G1263 diamartýromai (to attest or protest earnestly, or (by implication) hortatively:--charge, testify (unto), witness): This word sets the stage in Hebrews 2:6, where a testimony is given about God being mindful of man.
  • G1980 episképtomai (to inspect, i.e. (by implication) to select; by extension, to go to see, relieve:--look out, visit): Used in direct parallel to G3403 in Hebrews 2:6 ("thou art mindful of him...thou visitest him"), this word connects the act of remembering with the action of visiting or providing relief.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G3403 centers on the nature of active remembrance, both divine and human.

  • Divine Mindfulness: God's act of being "mindful" of humanity is not passive but is linked directly to His "visitation" and care Hebrews 2:6. This remembrance establishes humanity's value and position in relation to God.
  • Ethical Remembrance: For believers, to "remember" is a moral imperative that requires empathy and action. The command to remember those in bonds "as bound with them" transforms memory into a form of compassionate solidarity Hebrews 13:3.

Summary

In summary, G3403 moves beyond simple recollection to describe a profound and active state of mind. Whether referring to God's attentive care for humanity or the believer's duty to show solidarity with the suffering, mimnḗskō illustrates that true remembrance is fundamentally connected to action, visitation, and care.

Grammatical Forms

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 23 occurrences, inflected in 14 grammatical forms.

  • Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Plural 5×
  • Aorist Passive Infinitive 3×
  • Aorist Passive Imperative 2nd Plural 2×
  • Aorist Passive Imperative 2nd Singular 2×
  • Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 2×
  • Aorist Passive Indicative 1st Plural 1×
  • Aorist Passive Indicative 1st Singular 1×
  • Aorist Passive Subjunctive 1st Singular 1×
  • Aorist Passive Subjunctive 2nd Singular 1×
  • Future Passive Indicative 1st Singular 1×
  • Perfect Middle Indicative 2nd Plural 1×
  • Perfect Middle Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×

+ 2 rarer forms

Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Future
Action yet to take place.
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Middle
The subject acts on or for itself.
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Subjunctive
Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

2 verses, all in Hebrews.

Verse Explorer

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