Word Study for G3421 (μνημονεύω)

mnēmoneúō /mnay-mon-yoo'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom a derivative of μνήμη

Meaningto exercise memory, i.e. recollect; by implication, to punish; also to rehearse

KJV usagemake mention; be mindful, remember.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of mnēmoneúō — 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 mnēmoneúō, represented by G3421, means to exercise memory, recollect, or be mindful. It appears 22 times across 21 unique verses, functioning as a critical instruction to actively bring something to mind. Its meaning extends beyond simple recollection to include making mention of something, and even carries the implication of remembering for the purpose of punishment.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G3421 is frequently used as a direct command that prompts a specific spiritual response. Believers are urged to remember past events as a form of warning, such as the command to "remember Lot's wife G1135" Luke 17:32. It is also a call to recall and obey foundational teachings, as in Paul's exhortation to remember the words G3056 of the Lord Jesus Acts 20:35. The term is also used to call to mind one's identity before and after salvation, urging the Ephesians to remember their past as Gentiles to foster gratitude Ephesians 2:11. Finally, the word is applied to God Himself, who remembered the iniquities G92 of Babylon, linking divine memory to judgment Revelation 18:5.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the function and purpose of remembering:

G3539 noiéō (to exercise the mind, comprehend, heed): This word for understanding is used alongside remembering, showing the link between recollection and comprehension. Jesus asks his disciples, "Do ye not yet understand G3539, neither remember G3421 the five loaves" Matthew 16:9.
G3560 nouthetéō (to put in mind, i.e. (by implication) to caution or reprove gently): This word describes the act of warning or admonishing, which is often done to cause remembrance. Paul tells the elders to remember G3421 that for three years he did not cease to warn G3560 them Acts 20:31.
G3340 metanoéō (to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally, feel compunction)): Repentance is frequently the required response to remembering one's spiritual state. Believers are commanded to remember G3421 where they have fallen from and to repent G3340 Revelation 2:5.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of G3421 is demonstrated in several key themes:

A Catalyst for Repentance: The act of remembering is not passive but a call to action. Believers are urged to remember G3421 their former spiritual state or failings in order to repent G3340 and return to their first works G2041 Revelation 2:5.
Foundation for Endurance and Service: Recalling God's past actions, the teachings of Jesus, and the example of spiritual leaders serves as a foundation for perseverance. Believers are told to remember G3421 their leaders and follow G3401 their faith G4102 Hebrews 13:7, and to remember G3421 the poor G4434 as an act of service Galatians 2:10.
Divine Accountability: Memory is an attribute of God as well as man. The Bible states that God has remembered G3421 the iniquities G92 of Babylon, signifying that divine judgment is rooted in a perfect recollection of sin Revelation 18:5.

Summary

In summary, G3421 is far more than a simple mental exercise. It is a crucial command for the believer's spiritual life, calling for an active, purposeful memory that leads to repentance, gratitude, and faithful endurance. It highlights the believer's responsibility to hold fast to divine truth and the sober reality of God's perfect memory in exercising justice. Remembering the past, both personal and redemptive, is essential for navigating the present and securing a faithful future.

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 21 occurrences, inflected in 10 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Present Active Imperative 2nd Plural 5×
Present Active Indicative 2nd Plural 4×
Present Active Imperative 2nd Singular 3×
Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 2×
Present Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 2×
Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Present Active Infinitive 1×
Present Active Subjunctive 1st Plural 1×
Present Active Subjunctive 2nd Plural 1×

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").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Imperfect: Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
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.
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.

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 21 verses across 13 of the 27 books. Most frequent in John, Hebrews, and Revelation (3 verses each); never once in the other 14.

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

Acts

Galatians

Ephesians

Colossians

1 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians

2 Timothy

Hebrews

Revelation

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.