Word Study for G3687 (ὀνομάζω)

onomázō /on-om-ad'-zo/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom ὄνομα

Meaningto name, i.e. assign an appellation; by extension, to utter, mention, profess

KJV usagecall, name.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of onomázō — 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 onomázō, represented by G3687, means to name, assign an appellation, or by extension, to utter, mention, or profess. It is derived from the word for "name," ὄνομα. Appearing 12 times across 10 unique verses, G3687 is used to describe the act of giving a name or title, as well as making a verbal profession or mentioning something.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G3687 is used to signify a formal designation. For example, Jesus chose his disciples and "he named them apostles" Luke 6:13, and in the same context, he specifically named Simon as Peter Luke 6:14. The term also functions as "to mention" or "to utter," particularly in setting standards for conduct, as believers are told that fornication and uncleanness should not be "once named" among them Ephesians 5:3. Furthermore, it denotes a profession of faith, as in the command for "every one that nameth the name of Christ" to depart from iniquity 2 Timothy 2:19. The word can also refer to someone who claims an identity, such as a man "that is called a brother" 1 Corinthians 5:11.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related Greek words help clarify the meaning of G3687:

G3686 ónoma (a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)): As the root of onomázō, this word is often used in direct conjunction with it. This connection is clear in phrases like "every name that is named" Ephesians 1:21 and those who name "the name of Christ" 2 Timothy 2:19.
G4377 prosphōnéō (to sound towards, i.e. address, exclaim, summon): This verb describes the act of calling someone over or addressing them. It appears just before G3687 when Jesus first called his disciples to him and subsequently named them apostles, showing a sequence from summoning to designating Luke 6:13.
G1097 ginṓskō (to "know" (absolutely)): The root of ónoma is presumed to be related to this word for "know." This link is evident in the passage stating that "The Lord knoweth them that are his," which is immediately followed by the responsibility of everyone who nameth Christ's name 2 Timothy 2:19.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G3687 is significant, highlighting key principles of authority and identity.

Conferring Identity and Authority: The act of naming is an exercise of authority that confers identity. When Jesus named the apostles, He was not merely labeling them but assigning them a specific office and role in His ministry Luke 6:13.
The Basis of Profession: To name the name of Christ is to make a public profession of allegiance. This verbal act is tied directly to the believer's conduct, establishing a standard of holiness for those who identify with Him 2 Timothy 2:19.
Divine Source of Identity: The ultimate act of naming belongs to God the Father, "Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named" Ephesians 3:15. This establishes God as the sovereign source from whom all true identity and belonging originate.
Supremacy of Christ: The power of naming is used to establish Christ's supreme authority over all other powers and titles, placing him far above every "name that is named," both in this world and the one to come Ephesians 1:21.

Summary

In summary, G3687 moves beyond the simple act of applying a label. It is a word that conveys authority, defines identity, and establishes relationship. Whether used by Jesus to designate His apostles, by believers to profess their faith in Christ, or to describe God the Father as the source from which every family is named, onomázō demonstrates that the act of naming in scripture is an expression of power, purpose, and spiritual reality.

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 10 occurrences, inflected in 8 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 2×
Present Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 2×
Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Present Active Infinitive 1×
Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
Present Passive Imperative 3rd Singular 1×
Present Passive Participle Genitive Singular Neuter 1×
Present Passive Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Genitive: Possession or source — often "of".
Singular: One.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
Neuter: Neuter grammatical gender.
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

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 10 verses across 6 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Ephesians (3 verses); never once in the other 21.

Luke

Acts

Romans

1 Corinthians

Ephesians

2 Timothy

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.