"to muzzle, 1 Tim. 5:18; met. and by impl. to silence, put to silence; pass. to be silent, speechless, Mt. 22:12, 34; 1 Pet. 2:15; Mk. 1:25; trop. pass. to be hushed, as winds and waves, Mk. 4:39; Lk. 4:35*"
Definition and meaning
to muzzle, 1 Tim. 5:18; met. and by impl. to silence, put to silence; pass. to be silent, speechless, Mt. 22:12, 34; 1 Pet. 2:15; Mk. 1:25; trop. pass. to be hushed, as winds and waves, Mk. 4:39; Lk. 4:35*
In the original Greek the word is written: φιμόω
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 phimoo (G5392) across the King James Bible.
And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.
And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not.
For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
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Common questions
Strong's G5392 (phimoo) is a Greek word that means: to muzzle, 1 Tim. 5:18; met. and by impl. to silence, put to silence; pass. to be silent, speechless, Mt. 22:12, 34; 1 Pet. 2:15; Mk. 1:25; trop. pass. to be hushed, as winds and waves, Mk. 4:39; Lk. ... It appears 8 times in the King James Bible.
The word phimoo (G5392) appears 8 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5392 is phimoo, a Greek word defined as: to muzzle, 1 Tim. 5:18; met. and by impl. to silence, put to silence; pass. to be silent, speechless, Mt. 22:12, 34; 1 Pet. 2:15; Mk. 1:25; trop. pass. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
phimoo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.