Berean Strong's Lexicon merimnaó: To be anxious, to worry, to care for Original Word: μεριμνάω Word Origin: Derived from μέριμνα (merimna), meaning "care" or "anxiety." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew equivalent often associated with anxiety or care is דָּאַג (da'ag), which means to be anxious or to fear. Usage: The verb "merimnaó" is used in the New Testament to describe a state of anxiety or worry, often in the context of being overly concerned about the necessities of life or future uncertainties. It can also imply a sense of distraction or being pulled in different directions due to concerns. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, anxiety was a common human experience, much like today. People were concerned about daily survival, social status, and the future. The New Testament addresses these concerns by encouraging trust in God's provision and sovereignty. The teachings of Jesus and the apostles often contrast worldly anxiety with the peace that comes from faith in God. HELPS Word-studies 3309 merimnáō (from 3308 /mérimna, "a part, as opposed to the whole") – properly, drawn in opposite directions; "divided into parts" (A. T. Robertson); (figuratively) "to go to pieces" because pulled apart (in different directions), like the force exerted by sinful anxiety (worry). Positively, 3309 (merimnáō) is used of effectively distributing concern, in proper relation to the whole picture (cf. 1 Cor 12:25; Phil 2:20). 3809 (merimnaō ) is "an old verb for worry and anxiety – literally, to be divided, distracted" (WP, 2, 156). It is more commonly used in this negative sense in the NT. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom merimna Definition to be anxious, to care for NASB Translation anxious (1), care (1), concerned (5), have...care (1), worried (4), worry (6), worrying (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3309: μεριμνάωμεριμνάω, μερίμνω future μεριμνήσω; 1 aorist subjunctive 2 person plural μεριμνήσητε; (μέριμνα); a. to be anxious; to be troubled with cares: absolutely, Matthew 6:27, 31; Luke 12:25; μηδέν μεριμνᾶτε, be anxious about nothing, Philippians 4:6; with the dative of the thing for the interests of which one is solicitous (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 31, 1 b.): τῇ ψυχή, about sustaining life, τῷ σώματι, Matthew 6:25; Luke 12:22; περί τίνος, about a thing, Matthew 6:28; Luke 12:26; εἰς τήν αὔριον, for the morrow, i. e. about what may be on the morrow, Matthew 6:34; followed by an indirect question πῶς ἤ τί, Matthew 10:19; Luke 12:11 (here Tr marginal reading omits; Tr text WH brackets ἤ τί); joined with τυρβάζεσθαι (θορυβάζεσθαι) followed by περί πολλά, Luke 10:41 (WH marginal reading omits) b. to care for, look out for (a thing); to seek to promote one's interests: τά ἑαυτῆς, Matthew 6:34 Rec.; τά τοῦ κυρίου, 1 Corinthians 7:32-34; τά τοῦ κόσμου, 1 Corinthians 7:34; ἑαυτῆς, Matthew 6:34 L T Tr WH (a usage unknown to Greek writers, although they put a genitive after other verbs of caring or providing for, as ἐπιμελεῖσθαι, φροντίζειν, προνόειν, cf. Krüger, § 47, 11; Winers Grammar, 205 (193); Buttmann, § 133, 25); τά περί τίνος, Philippians 2:20; ἵνα τό αὐτό ὑπέρ ἀλλήλων μεριμνῶσι τά μέλη, that the members may have the same care one for another, 1 Corinthians 12:25. (The Sept. for דָּאַג, to be anxious, Psalm 37:19 From merimna; to be anxious about -- (be, have) care(-ful), take thought. see GREEK merimna Englishman's Concordance Matthew 6:25 V-PMA-2PGRK: ὑμῖν μὴ μεριμνᾶτε τῇ ψυχῇ NAS: I say to you, do not be worried about KJV: Take no thought for your INT: to you not be anxious about the life Matthew 6:27 V-PPA-NMS Matthew 6:28 V-PMA-2P Matthew 6:31 V-ASA-2P Matthew 6:34 V-ASA-2P Matthew 6:34 V-FIA-3S Matthew 10:19 V-ASA-2P Luke 10:41 V-PIA-2S Luke 12:11 V-ASA-2P Luke 12:22 V-PMA-2P Luke 12:25 N-GFS Luke 12:26 V-PIA-2P 1 Corinthians 7:32 V-PIA-3S 1 Corinthians 7:33 V-PIA-3S 1 Corinthians 7:34 V-PIA-3S 1 Corinthians 7:34 V-PIA-3S 1 Corinthians 12:25 V-PSA-3P Philippians 2:20 V-FIA-3S Philippians 4:6 V-PMA-2P Strong's Greek 3309 |