Strong's Lexicon megalaucheó: To boast greatly, to speak arrogantly Original Word: μεγαλαυχέω Word Origin: From the Greek words μέγας (megas, meaning "great") and αὐχέω (aucheo, meaning "to boast" or "to speak loudly"). Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew Bible often uses terms like גָּאָה (ga'ah, meaning "to be proud" or "to rise up") and הָלַל (halal, meaning "to boast" or "to praise") in contexts that parallel the Greek concept of boasting. These terms are used to caution against pride and to encourage giving glory to God alone. Usage: The verb "megalaucheó" is used to describe the act of boasting or speaking with arrogance and pride. It conveys a sense of self-exaltation and an inflated sense of one's own importance or achievements. In the New Testament, this term is often used in a negative context, warning against the dangers of pride and self-glorification. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, boasting was a common rhetorical device used in speeches and writings to assert one's status, achievements, or lineage. However, the early Christian community, influenced by Jewish teachings, often viewed such boasting as contrary to the virtues of humility and reliance on God. The cultural backdrop of honor and shame in the ancient world made boasting a significant social tool, but one that could lead to division and conflict within communities. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originvariant reading for megas and aucheó, q.v. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3166: μεγαλαυχέωμεγαλαυχέω, μεγαλαύχω; (μεγάλαυχος, and this from μεγάλα and αὐχέω); to be grandiloquent; to boast great things, to bear oneself loftily in speech or action: ἡ γλῶσσα μεγάλαυχεῖ (L T Tr WH μεγάλα αὐχεῖ), James 3:5, where it seems to denote any kind of haughty language which wounds and provokes others, and stirs up strife. (Aeschylus Ag. 1528; Polybius 12, 13, 10; 8, 23, 11; Diodorus 15, 16, others; middle γυναῖκα πρός Θεούς ἐριζουσαν καί μεγαλαυχουμενην, Plato, rep. 3, p. 395 d.; for גָּבָה, to exalt oneself, carry oneself haughtily, Ezekiel 16:50; Zephaniah 3:11; add, 2 Macc. 15:32; Sir. 48:18.) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance boast great things. From a compound of megas and aucheo (to boast; akin to auzano and kauchaomai); to talk big, i.e. Be grandiloquent (arrogant, egotistic) -- boast great things. see GREEK megas see GREEK auzano see GREEK kauchaomai Forms and Transliterations αυχει αὐχεῖ εμεγαλαύχουν μεγαλαυχεί μεγαλαυχείν μεγαλαυχήσαι auchei aucheîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |