Word Study for G5512 (χλευάζω)

chleuázō /khlyoo-ad'-zo/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom a derivative probably of χεῖλος

Meaningto throw out the lip, i.e. jeer at

KJV usagemock.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of chleuázō — 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 chleuázō, represented by G5512, means to jeer at or mock, an action described as to "throw out the lip." It appears 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible, highlighting a specific reaction of contempt or disbelief.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical appearances, G5512 describes a response of ridicule toward divine acts. In Athens, when Paul preached, some in the crowd mocked upon hearing of the resurrection of the dead Acts 17:32. Similarly, on the day of Pentecost, when the disciples spoke in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance, some observers were mocking, accusing them of being full of new wine Acts 2:13. In both instances, the mockery serves as a dismissal of a profound spiritual event.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide context for the act of mocking:

G386 anástasis (a standing up again, i.e. (literally) a resurrection from death): This is the specific doctrine that provoked mockery from the listeners in Athens Acts 17:32.
G1098 gleûkos (sweet wine... new wine): This was the substance the mockers accused the apostles of being full of, offering a worldly explanation for a spiritual phenomenon Acts 2:13.
G191 akoúō (to hear): The act of mocking in these passages is a direct reaction to what was heard. The crowd in Athens heard of the resurrection, and the crowd in Jerusalem heard the disciples speaking in a way they did not understand Acts 17:32.

Theological Significance

The use of G5512 carries significant weight, illustrating a key human response to divine revelation.

Rejection of the Supernatural: Mockery is directed at foundational Christian truths that defy simple explanation, such as the resurrection G386 of the dead G3498 and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Expression of Disbelief: The act of jeering is a verbal expression of unbelief. Instead of seeking understanding, the mockers choose to ridicule what they hear. In Acts 17:32, some mocked while others G2087 were willing to hear G191 again, showing a clear division in the audience.
Misinterpretation of Divine Power: In Acts 2:13, the mockers misinterpret the power of the Holy Spirit as intoxication, saying the apostles are full G3325 of new wine G1098. This shows a preference for a carnal explanation over a spiritual one.

Summary

In summary, G5512 is a specific and powerful term for contemptuous ridicule. While used sparingly, its occurrences in scripture are pivotal, marking moments where humanity is confronted with divine truth. It captures the reaction of disbelief and scorn that often meets the supernatural, whether it be the promise of resurrection or the manifest work of the Spirit.

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 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Present Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
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".
Active: The subject performs the action.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
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

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, 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.