Word Study for G3499 (νεκρόω)

nekróō /nek-ro'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom νεκρός

Meaningto deaden, i.e. (figuratively) to subdue

KJV usagebe dead, mortify.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of nekróō — 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 nekróō, represented by G3499, means to deaden or, figuratively, to subdue. It is derived from νεκρός (dead). Though it appears only 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible, its usage carries significant weight, encompassing both a state of physical powerlessness and a direct command for spiritual discipline.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical applications, G3499 is used in two distinct ways. First, it describes a state of physical inability, as when Abraham, at about one hundred years old, was considered "as good as dead" Hebrews 11:12, with his body "now dead" Romans 4:19. Second, it is used as a command to believers to actively subdue sinful behaviors. In Colossians, believers are instructed to "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth," followed by a list of specific sins Colossians 3:5.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of G3499:

G3500 nékrōsis (deadness, dying): This word, derived from G3499, refers to a state of decease or impotency. It is used alongside G3499 in reference to the "deadness of Sara's womb" Romans 4:19.
G3196 mélos (member): This term for a limb or part of the body is the object of the command to mortify in Colossians. Believers are told to deaden their earthly "members" Colossians 3:5.
G4983 sōma (body): This word for the physical body is the subject described as dead in the account of Abraham, who considered his own "body now dead" yet did not waver in faith Romans 4:19.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G3499 is significant, highlighting key spiritual principles.

Divine Power in Human Weakness: The use of G3499 to describe Abraham's body as "as good as dead" Hebrews 11:12 and Sara's womb having "deadness" Romans 4:19 sets the stage for God's miraculous power. From this state of inability, God brought forth an innumerable multitude.
Active Spiritual Discipline: The command to "Mortify" is not a suggestion of passivity but a call to action. Believers are responsible for subduing their earthly members G3196 and the sins associated with them, such as fornication G4202, uncleanness G167, and covetousness G4124 Colossians 3:5.
Faith Overcoming Impossibility: Abraham's example connects faith with the reality of deadness. He was not "weak in faith" G770 even when he acknowledged that his body was dead G3499, demonstrating a reliance on God's promise over physical circumstances Romans 4:19.

Summary

In summary, G3499 provides a powerful illustration of the contrast between physical finality and spiritual action. It describes both the state of utter powerlessness from which God can create life, as seen in Abraham, and the decisive action required of believers to subdue their sinful nature. The word serves as a reminder that what is considered dead from a human perspective can be a canvas for divine power and a target for spiritual discipline.

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

Aorist Active Imperative 2nd Plural 1×
Perfect Passive Participle Accusative Singular Neuter 1×
Perfect Passive Participle Genitive Singular Masculine 1×

Genitive: Possession or source — often "of".
Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
Neuter: Neuter grammatical gender.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
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.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.
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 3 verses across 3 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Romans, Colossians, and Hebrews (1 verse each); never once in the other 24.

Romans

Colossians

Hebrews

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.