English · KJV
G3552

νοσέω

noséō /nos-eh'-o/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom νόσος
Meaningto be sick, i.e. (by implication, of a diseased appetite) to hanker after (figuratively, to harp upon)
KJV usagedote.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of noséō — 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 noséō, represented by G3552, describes a figurative sickness or a diseased appetite. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible. The term's core meaning is to be sick, but it is used metaphorically to mean hankering after something or harping upon a topic, translated as dote.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its sole biblical appearance, G3552 is used to characterize someone who is proud and ignorant. This individual is described as doting about "questions and strifes of words," indicating an unhealthy and obsessive preoccupation with pointless arguments 1 Timothy 6:4. This diseased focus is presented as the source from which envy, strife, railings, and evil surmisings arise, painting a picture of intellectual and spiritual sickness.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words in 1 Timothy 6:4 illuminate the context of G3552:

  • G5187 typhóō (be lifted up with pride, be proud): This word describes the arrogant state of the person who is doting. It means to be inflated with self-conceit, literally "to envelop with smoke."
  • G2214 zḗtēsis (question): This term, meaning a dispute or its theme, specifies the unhealthy focus of the one who dotes.
  • G3055 logomachía (strife of words): This describes the pointless verbal battles, or "disputation about trifles," that the individual obsesses over.
  • G2054 éris (strife, contention): This is one of the direct results of such doting, defined as a quarrel or wrangling.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G3552 is found in its portrayal of intellectual and spiritual corruption.

  • Sickness as a Metaphor for False Teaching: The use of a word meaning "to be sick" frames the obsession with pointless debates not as a simple error, but as a spiritual disease. This condition is linked directly to pride 1 Timothy 6:4.
  • Pride and Ignorance: The text establishes a direct connection between being proud G5187 and "knowing nothing," which manifests as doting on useless questions. This suggests that arrogance blinds a person, leading them to fixate on trivial matters instead of truth.
  • The Source of Division: The act of doting G3552 is identified as the source from which destructive behaviors flow. It generates envy G5355, strife G2054, railings G988, and evil surmisings G5283, highlighting how a corrupted mind produces a corrupted community.

Summary

In summary, G3552 noséō is a rare but powerful term used to diagnose a spiritual sickness. It describes an unhealthy obsession, or doting, on trivial arguments, rooted in pride and ignorance. Its single use in scripture at 1 Timothy 6:4 demonstrates that this condition is not harmless but is the direct cause of destructive outcomes like envy and strife, serving as a warning against the dangers of arrogant and empty debate.

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 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Singular
One.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

Related

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.

G5187 τυφόω from a derivative of τύφω; to envelop with smoke, i.e. (figuratively) to inflate with self-conceit:--high-minded, be lif G2214 ζήτησις from ζητέω; a searching (properly, the act), i.e. a dispute or its theme:--question. G3055 λογομαχία from the same as λογομαχέω; disputation about trifles ("logomachy"):--strife of words. G2054 ἔρις of uncertain affinity; a quarrel, i.e. (by implication) wrangling:--contention, debate, strife, variance. G5355 φθόνος probably akin to the base of φθείρω; ill-will (as detraction), i.e. jealousy (spite):--envy. G988 βλασφημία from βλάσφημος; vilification (especially against God):--blasphemy, evil speaking, railing.

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

1 verse, all in 1 Timothy — and none of the other 26 New Testament books.

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.