"to hire out, let out to hire; mid. to hire, Mt. 20:1, 7*"
Definition and meaning
to hire out, let out to hire; mid. to hire, Mt. 20:1, 7*
In the original Greek the word is written: μισθόω
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
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
These are the most notable occurrences of misthoo (G3409) across the King James Bible.
For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
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Common questions
Strong's G3409 (misthoo) is a Greek word that means: to hire out, let out to hire; mid. to hire, Mt. 20:1, 7* It appears 2 times in the King James Bible.
The word misthoo (G3409) appears 2 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3409 is misthoo, a Greek word defined as: to hire out, let out to hire; mid. to hire, Mt. 20:1, 7*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
misthoo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.