Refiner Word Study memphomai (G3201)
G3201  ·  Greek  ·  Strong's Concordance
μέμφομαι
memphomai
3 occurrences in Scripture Greek

"to find fault with, blame, censure; to intimate dissatisfaction with, Heb. 8:8; absol. to find fault, Rom. 9:19*"

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Definition and meaning

What does memphomai mean in Greek?

3
Occurrences in Scripture
G3201
Strong's number
Greek
Original language

to find fault with, blame, censure; to intimate dissatisfaction with, Heb. 8:8; absol. to find fault, Rom. 9:19*

In the original Greek the word is written: μέμφομαι

Historical context

What was happening when this word was written?

Roman-Occupied Judea (c. 4 BC-AD 30)

The Gospel of Mark moves urgently — the word "immediately" appears over 40 times. It was written for a Roman audience familiar with power and action. Jesus is portrayed as a man who acts, heals, and commands authority that the Roman world had never seen from a Jewish teacher.

The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.

Scripture references

Top 3 Bible verses with memphomai

These are the most notable occurrences of memphomai (G3201) across the King James Bible.

Mark 7:2

And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

Romans 9:19

Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

Hebrews 8:8

For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions about memphomai

What does memphomai mean in Greek?

Strong's G3201 (memphomai) is a Greek word that means: to find fault with, blame, censure; to intimate dissatisfaction with, Heb. 8:8; absol. to find fault, Rom. 9:19* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.

How many times does memphomai appear in the Bible?

The word memphomai (G3201) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.

What is Strong's number G3201?

Strong's G3201 is memphomai, a Greek word defined as: to find fault with, blame, censure; to intimate dissatisfaction with, Heb. 8:8; absol. to find fault, Rom. 9:19*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.

Is memphomai in the Old Testament or New Testament?

memphomai is a Greek word found in the New Testament.