English · KJV
G4517

ῥώννυμι

rhṓnnymi /hrone'-noo-mee/ Ask about this word
Rootprolongation from ῥώομαι (to dart; probably akin to ῥύομαι)
Meaningto strengthen, i.e. (impersonal passive) have health (as a parting exclamation, good-bye)
KJV usagefarewell.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of rhṓnnymi — 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 rhṓnnymi, represented by G4517, literally means to strengthen. In the New Testament, it is used as a parting exclamation to wish someone health or well-being, translated as farewell. It appears only 2 times in 2 unique verses.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

Both uses of G4517 appear in the book of Acts as a formal closing to a letter. In Acts 15:29, it concludes the decree from the Jerusalem Council to Gentile believers, wishing them well after laying out crucial instructions for church unity. Similarly, in Acts 23:30, the Roman commander Claudius Lysias ends his letter to Governor Felix with Farewell, formally concluding his report concerning the Apostle Paul. In both instances, the word serves as a final, polite sign-off.

Related Words & Concepts

The context of G4517 in Acts 15:29 connects it to several key instructional terms:

  • G567 apéchomai: This word for abstain is central to the council's decree, defining the required conduct for Gentile Christians.
  • G1494 eidōlóthyton: Meaning an image-sacrifice, this refers to meat offered to idols, which believers were commanded to avoid.
  • G129 haîma: Translated as blood, its prohibition was a key part of the decree, respecting Jewish law and promoting fellowship.
  • G4156 pniktós: This refers to things strangled, meaning an animal choked to death and not properly bled, which was also forbidden.
  • G4202 porneía: This term for fornication or harlotry was a command against sexual immorality.
  • G1301 diatēréō: The letter states that if the believers keep themselves from these things, they will do well, connecting obedience to well-being.

Theological Significance

The significance of G4517 lies in its function as a benediction tied to right living.

  • A Wish for Well-being: The root meaning of "to strengthen" or "have health" is not just a casual good-bye. It is a sincere wish for the recipient's welfare, both physically and spiritually.
  • Conclusion to Apostolic Guidance: In Acts 15:29, the farewell comes directly after the council's instructions. The phrase "ye shall do well" G2095 precedes it, linking their well-being to their adherence to this guidance. The final "Fare ye well" reinforces this connection.
  • Formal Closure: The word's usage in both a religious Acts 15:29 and a Roman military Acts 23:30 letter shows it was a standard and respectful way to end formal correspondence in that era.

Summary

In summary, G4517 is a specific term used exclusively as a valediction, or farewell, in the New Testament. Though it appears only twice, its use in Acts 15:29 is particularly noteworthy. It concludes a foundational decree for the early church, framing the final blessing as a result of the believers' faithful conduct and separation from pagan practices. It demonstrates a practical expression of wishing someone strength and health.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists one rendering for this word. It is counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the number is how many of them use it. Select it to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • ἔρρωσθε
  • ἔρρωσο

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.

G567 ἀπέχομαι to hold oneself off, i.e. refrain G1494 εἰδωλόθυτον an image-sacrifice, i.e. part of an idolatrous offering G129 αἷμα blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of Christ) G4156 πνικτός throttled, i.e. (neuter concretely) an animal choked to death (not bled) G4202 πορνεία harlotry (including adultery and incest) G1301 διατηρέω to watch thoroughly, i.e. (positively and transitively) to observe strictly, or (negatively and reflexively) to avoid…

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

2 verses, all in Acts — 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, by grammatical form, 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.