"to utter; to say, speak, Mt. 8:8; 14:8; 26:34, 61; to say, allege, affirm, Rom. 3:8"
Definition and meaning
to utter; to say, speak, Mt. 8:8; 14:8; 26:34, 61; to say, allege, affirm, Rom. 3:8
In the original Greek the word is written: φημί
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 phemi (G5346) across the King James Bible.
Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.
Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
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Common questions
Strong's G5346 (phemi) is a Greek word that means: to utter; to say, speak, Mt. 8:8; 14:8; 26:34, 61; to say, allege, affirm, Rom. 3:8 It appears 57 times in the King James Bible.
The word phemi (G5346) appears 57 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5346 is phemi, a Greek word defined as: to utter; to say, speak, Mt. 8:8; 14:8; 26:34, 61; to say, allege, affirm, Rom. 3:8. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
phemi is a Greek word found in the New Testament.