Apophtheggomai - Quick(?) Question

[Medawlinno]

Hello All,

I have a question regarding the Koine Greek word “apophtheggomai” – usually translated in Biblical texts as “to give utterance”. I’m wondering however, if that’s really the best translation. I have been told that the word carries more the connotation of “to give bold, inspired, authoritative speech to someone.” In other words, it does not refer to the ‘content’ of what is said (i.e., the language in which it is said), but rather the ‘manner’ in which it is said. It seems that in each instance where this word occurs in scripture, the person's speech is bold, authoritative, and inspired.

So, just wondering is this latter interpretation wishful thinking, and “to give utterance” the more accurate translation, or is this actually the better interpretation??

Thanks for any insight!

[Jonathan Robie]

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Do you know where to look up meanings of Greek words in something more reliable than Strong's? If not, that's a good place to start ... Do you have access to some Greek dictionaries?

For this particular word, Louw & Nida says this:

ἀπο-φθέγγομαι (apophthengomai) to speak, with focus upon verbal sound rather than upon content

BDAG says this:

ἀποφθέγγομαι (s. φθόγγος; fut. 3 pl. ἀποφθέγξονται Ps 58:8; 1 aor. 3 sg. ἀπεφθέγξατο TestJob 48:3) to express oneself orally, w. focus on sound rather than content, speak out, declare boldly or loudly (of the speech of a wise man Diog. L. 1, 63; 73; 79; but also of an oracle-giver, diviner, prophet, exorcist, and other inspired persons Diod S 16, 27, 1; Plut., Mor. 405e; Vett. Val. 73, 24; 112, 15; 113, 1; Philostrat., Vi. Apollon. 1, 19 p. 20, 7; Diogenes 21, 8 p. 114 Malherbe; Mi 5:11; Zech 10:2; Ezk 13:9, 19; TestJob; Philo, Mos. 2, 33) τὶ: σωφροσύνης ῥήματα Ac 26:25; ἀ. τινι declare to someone w. urgency 2:14, also abs. vs. 4.—DELG s.v. φθέγγομαι. M-M. TW.

Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., Bauer, W., & Gingrich, F. W. (2000). A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature (3rd ed., p. 125). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

It is only used three times in the New Testament.

Acts 2:4, Acts 2:14, and Acts 26:25.

ἀπο-φθέγγομαι is related to φθέγγομαι, let's look at Abbott-Smith:

φθέγγομαι [in LXX for ענה, נבע hi., etc. ;]

of men or animals, to utter a sound or voice: absol., Ac 4:18; seq. ἐν φωνῇ, II Pe 2:16; c. acc., ὑπέρογκα, ib. 18.†

And it turns out II Pe 2:16 is kind of fun here:

ἔλεγξιν δὲ ἔσχεν ἰδίας παρανομίας· ὑποζύγιον ἄφωνον ἐν ἀνθρώπου φωνῇ φθεγξάμενον ἐκώλυσεν τὴν τοῦ προφήτου παραφρονίαν.

[Medawlinno]

Thanks very much for the insight and notes for posting.

[Barry Hofstetter]

ἀποφθέγγομαι (s. φθόγγος; fut. 3 pl. ἀποφθέγξονται Ps 58:8; 1 aor. 3 sg. ἀπεφθέγξατο TestJob 48:3) to express oneself orally, w. focus on sound rather than content, speak out, declare boldly or loudly (of the speech of a wise man Diog. L. 1, 63; 73; 79; but also of an oracle-giver, diviner, prophet, exorcist, and other inspired persons Diod S 16, 27, 1; Plut., Mor. 405e; Vett. Val. 73, 24; 112, 15; 113, 1; Philostrat., Vi. Apollon. 1, 19 p. 20, 7; Diogenes 21, 8 p. 114 Malherbe; Mi 5:11; Zech 10:2; Ezk 13:9, 19; TestJob; Philo, Mos. 2, 33) τὶ: σωφροσύνης ῥήματα Ac 26:25; ἀ. τινι declare to someone w. urgency 2:14, also abs. vs. 4.—DELG s.v. φθέγγομαι. M-M. TW.

Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., Bauer, W., & Gingrich, F. W. (2000). A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature (3rd ed., p. 125). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.