μνάομαι

mnáomai /mnah'-om-ahee/ Ask about this word
Meaningmiddle voice of a derivative of μένω or perhaps of the base of μασσάομαι (through the idea of fixture in the mind or of mental grasp); to bear in mind, i.e. recollect; by implication, to reward or punish
KJV usagebe mindful, remember, come (have) in remembrance. Compare μιμνήσκω.
Copy as

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word mnáomai, represented by G3415, means to bear in mind or recollect. It appears 21 times across 21 unique verses in the Bible. The term carries the idea of a fixture in the mind or a mental grasp, and by implication, it can refer to the act of rewarding or punishing based on what is remembered.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G3415 is used to describe several forms of remembrance. It is used when the disciples remembered Jesus's words after a significant event, such as when he cleansed the temple John 2:17 or after his resurrection John 2:22. It is also used as a plea for divine favor, as when the thief on the cross asks Jesus, "remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom" Luke 23:42. The term also describes God's action, such as when the prayers and alms of Cornelius are had in remembrance in the sight of God Acts 10:31, or when Great Babylon came in remembrance before God to receive judgment Revelation 16:19.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words illuminate the concept of what is being remembered or brought to mind:

  • G4487 rhēma (an utterance): This term is frequently the object of remembrance. The apostles were to be mindful of the words spoken by the prophets 2 Peter 3:2, and Peter remembered the word of Jesus regarding his denial Matthew 26:75.
  • G1242 diathḗkē (covenant): God's remembrance is directly tied to His promises. God's mercy is performed in order to remember his holy covenant Luke 1:72.
  • G1656 éleos (mercy): This word is closely linked to God's remembrance as a foundational aspect of His character. God helped Israel in remembrance of his mercy Luke 1:54.
  • G266 hamartía (a sin): God's act of forgetting is a crucial part of His new covenant. He promises that their sins and iniquities He will remember no more Hebrews 10:17.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G3415 is significant, highlighting key aspects of the relationship between God and humanity.

  • Covenant Fidelity: God's remembrance is an expression of His faithfulness to His promises. He acts to perform mercy G1656 and to remember His holy covenant G1242 with His people Luke 1:72.
  • Divine Forgiveness: The concept is powerfully used in the negative to express salvation. In the new covenant, God declares He will be merciful G2436 and that He will remember their sins G266 and iniquities G458 no more Hebrews 8:12. This act of "not remembering" is central to grace.
  • Human Responsibility: For believers, remembering is an act of faith and obedience. The disciples remembered Jesus's words and then believed G4100 the scripture John 2:22. Paul praises G1867 the Corinthians because they remember him and keep G2722 the ordinances 1 Corinthians 11:2.

Summary

In summary, G3415 moves beyond simple recollection to become a word of profound action and consequence. It encompasses God's covenant loyalty and His provision of mercy, often expressed by His choice to remember His promises and forget the sins of His people. For humanity, to remember is to hold fast to the words of God and the apostles, forming a cornerstone of an active and obedient faith.

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

Appears in 21 verses across 10 books. Most frequent in Luke (6 verses).

3
Matthew
6
Luke
3
John
2
Acts
1
1 Corinthians
1
2 Timothy
2
Hebrews
1
2 Peter
1
Jude
1
Revelation

Verse Explorer

Select a verse to begin.