Abarim Publications' online Biblical Greek Dictionary
ερμηνευω
The verb ερμηνευω (hermeneuo) means to interpret, explain or translate (John 1:38, Hebrews 7:2), but, as usual, there is much more to it. Our verb is evidently related to the word hermeneutics, or the branch of knowledge that deals with theories of interpretation. It's also related to the name Ερμαν (Herman), which is a variant of the name Hermes. It's not clear whether the verb or the names came first, but they obviously have to do with each other. The key issue is that Hermes was the Olympian god of boundaries and particularly the crossing of those. As such he functioned as the intercessory between the worlds of man and the divine, and that function is in the New Testament clearly ascribed to Jesus (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25).
Hermes/Jesus builds bridges between realms and connect worlds by criss-crossing all of them (see our article on the name Arabia for more on the fundamental importance of this criss-crossing). That means that the act described by the verb ερμηνευω (hermeneuo) is not simply the adoption of one text or idea and adapting it to fit a wholly separate audience, but rather the building of a bridge across the vast chasm between the wisdoms of otherwise separated peoples. Our verb describes the kind of peace-making that Jesus would famously deem the defining quality of the sons of God (Matthew 5:9).
Our verb occurs 4 times in the New Testament, see full concordance, and from it derives:
- Together with the prefix δια (dia), meaning through or throughout: the verb διερμηνευω (diermeneuo), meaning to explain clearly and wholly (Luke 24:27), or carefully translate (Acts 9:36) or interpret (1 Corinthians 12:30). This verb is common in the classics and occurs in the New Testament 6 times: see full concordance. From this verb it in turn comes:
- The noun διερμηνευτης (diermeneutes), meaning a through-and-through interpreter, a deep-dive explainer: someone who thoroughly explains (1 Corinthians 14:28 only). This noun is unique to the whole of extant Greek literature. Without the δια (dia), the noun ερμηνευτης (ermeneutes) or occurs about half a dozen times, in Plato and Josephus and others. In the Septuagint, this latter word is used in Genesis 42:23. A comparable noun, namely ερμηνευς (ermeneus), is quite common in the classics and describes an interpreter, mostly of other languages, sometimes in a court setting, and sometimes between parties who speak the same language but still need help: a marriage counsellor or broker between supplier and buyer. This word was also used to describe an interpreter of or commentator on other writers and poets.
- Together with the prefix δυσ- (dus-), "dys-" or poorly functioning (an opposite of ευ, eu, good): the adjective δυσερμηνευτος (dusermeneutos), meaning hard to interpret or understand — but with the implication of this being so not because the words are hard but because the audience's comprehension is poorly functioning (Hebrews 5:11 only). This word is probably in some way comparable to δυσεντερια (dusenteria), bowel discomfort or trouble with one's digestion (hence our English word dysentery).
- The noun ερμηνεια (hermeneia), meaning interpretation or explanation (1 Corinthians 12:10 and 14:26 only).
- Together with the preposition μετα (meta), meaning with or among: the verb μεθερμηνευω (methermeneuo), meaning to be with translation or interpretation. This verb is used 7 times; see full concordance.