noun · neuter
rēmem
Strong’sG4487
a thing spoken
stem rēm-67 times in the New Testamentin 12 of 27 books6 of 6 forms occur
What it means
A plain-English reading of the word, with the lexicons it draws on — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, and Liddell-Scott-Jones — right below it, in full.
AI Summary
ῥῆμα (rhēma) most basically means a word, utterance, or saying — that which is spoken 1234. It can refer to a single word or statement 13, or more broadly to speech and discourse as a whole 1. It is used for a specific saying, statement, or pronouncement, including a word of prophecy, instruction, or command, and in this sense is often paired with "God" or "the Lord" to mean a divine utterance 1.
ῥῆμα also carries a second, distinct sense: a thing or matter — the subject being spoken of, rather than the speech itself, as in a topic of narration, command, or dispute 123.
Sources: 1 Abbott-Smith 2 Strong's 3 LSJ 4 Dodson. Condensed by anthropic/claude-sonnet-5 on 2026-09-23 — it may still misstate what these say; check them yourself if it matters to you.
The lexicons it was drawn from, in full:
Abbott-Smith — the 1922 lexicon entry, in full
ῥῆμα, -τος, τό
[in LXX chiefly for דָּבָר, also for פֶּה, and Aram. פִּתְגָּם, etc.;]
G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament, 1922 — public domain. References open in the reader.
Strong’s G4487 — the 1890 definition, and where the word comes from
Saidhray'-mah
an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negative naught whatever
Fromfrom G4483;
King James+ evil, + nothing, saying, word.
James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, 1890 — public domain. The numbers in it link to the entries here.
Liddell-Scott-Jones — the classical dictionary this word appears in
(ἐρῶ) that which is said or spoken, word, saying, Refs 7th c.BC+ (where perhaps it ={ῥήτρα}Refs 5th c.BC+; τοῦ Πιττακοῦ.. περιεφέρετο τοῦτο τὸ ῥ. Refs 5th c.BC+; τὸ δόγμα τε καὶ ῥ. Refs; opposed to ἔργματα, Refs 5th c.BC+; opposed to ἔργον, Refs 5th c.BC+; opposed to τὸ ἀληθές, Refs 5th c.BC+ 'fine words butter no parsnips', cited in Refs 5th c.BC+; ῥήματα θηρεύειν catch at one's words, Refs 5th c.BC+; ῥ. ἱπποβάμονα, ῥ. μυριάμφορον, Refs 5th c.BC+; ῥήματος ἐχόμενον depending on the word, Refs 5th c.BC+; τῷ ῥ. τῷ τόδε προσχρώμενοι the word τόδε, Refs; τῷ ῥ. λέγειν, εἰπεῖν, say in so many words, Refs; κατὰ ῥῆμα ἀπαγγεῖλαι word for word, Refs 4th c.BC+
2 phrase, opposed to ὄνομα (a single word), Refs 5th c.BC+
2.b verse, line, Refs 5th c.BC+
3 subject of speech, matter, Hebraism in LXX+NT
II Grammars, verb, opposed to ὄνομα (noun), Refs 5th c.BC+:— from the fact that a Verb usually forms the predicate Refs 4th c.BC+ is applied to an adjective when used as a predicate, Refs
H. G. Liddell, R. Scott, H. S. Jones, A Greek-English Lexicon (9th ed., 1925–1940) — digitised by the Perseus Digital Library and corrected and expanded by Tyndale House, Cambridge, via STEPBible-Data's TFLSJ table, CC BY 4.0. Covers all of Greek literature, not just the Bible.
Translated as
Every occurrence, sorted by the English it was actually given — the evidence for what the word means, not a gloss of it.
Berean Standard Bible (BSB), dedicated to the public domain — berean.bible.
Biblang forms
Every form this word takes in Biblang, with the Greek it corresponds to and how often the New Testament uses it.
| Job in the sentence case | one singular | more than one plural |
|---|---|---|
| subject or object direct | rēmem10×ῥῆμα | rēmeim6×ῥήματα |
| of, belonging to genitive | rēmeu6×ῥήματος | rēmeiu6×ῥημάτων |
| to, for dative | rēme5×ῥήματι | rēmei1×ῥήμασιν |
Why these forms, and no others — the slots that make them
rēme is this word in every one of its forms. The slots after it make all the rest.
same in every form varies — every value shown
Where it appears
Every verse the word appears in, filed under the form it takes there.
67 occurrences, every one of them listed
rēmem“word”subject or objectdirect singular10×
Matthew 18:16“word”… duo marturoiu ē treis stēiteia pantem rēmem;… so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’
Luke 1:37… ouk adunatati para tou theou pantem rēmem.For no word from God will ever fail.”
Luke 3:2epi archierevou Hannou kai Kaiafou, geneta rēmem theou epi Iōannon ton Zachariou huion …… priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son …
Luke 18:34… oudenem houteiu suniēkala, kai ate tem rēmem houtem kruptorēntem apo autoiu, kai ouk …… did not comprehend what He was saying.
Romans 10:8alla tinem legatō? Engus su tem rēmem atō, en te stome su kai …But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in …
Romans 10:8… ta kardia su, houtem atō tem rēmem tau pistiau hem kērussanō.… in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:
2 Corinthians 13:1“word”… duo marturoiu kai treis stēiti pantem rēmem.… to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”
Ephesians 6:17… tan machairan teu pneumeu, hem atō rēmem theou,… of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
1 Peter 1:25tem de rēmem kuriou menatō eis ton aiōnon. houtem …but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And …
1 Peter 1:25… ton aiōnon. houtem de atō tem rēmem tem euangelizirantem eis vin.… stands forever.” And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.
rēmeu“word”of, belonging togenitive singular6×
Matthew 26:75kai mimnēskita tos Petros teu rēmeu Iēsu legarēntou hoti Prin alektōron fōnara …Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the …
Luke 2:17“statement”horarantois de gnōrizala peri teu rēmeu teu laliranteu autoi peri teu paidieu …… seen the Child, they spread the message they had received about Him.
Luke 9:45“saying”… kai fobole erōtara auton peri teu rēmeu houteu.… comprehend it, and they were afraid to ask Him about it.
Luke 20:26“what … said”kai ouk ischuala epilabera tou rēmeu enantion tou laou, kai thaumazarantois epi …And they were unable to trap Him in His words before the people. And amazed at His answer …
Acts 11:16mimnēskima de teu rēmeu tou kuriou hōs legate; Iōannos men …Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said …
Romans 10:17… ek akoau, tas de akoas dia rēmeu Christou.… by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
rēme“word”to, fordative singular5×
Matthew 4:4… zōeti tos anthrōpos, alla epi pante rēme ekporeuorōnte dia stomeu theou.… on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of …
Luke 5:5… kopiarantois oudenem labana, epi de te rēme su chalami teim diktueim.… without catching anything. But because You say so, I will let down the …
Ephesians 5:26… katharizarantos te loutre teu hudeu en rēme,… the washing with water through the word,
Hebrews 1:3… autou, ferarōntos tē teim panteim te rēme tau dunamiau, dia heautou katharismon taiu …… upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for …
Hebrews 11:3“word”pistia noanō katartizorē toin aiōnoin rēme theou, eis tem mē ek fanorōnteiu …By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
rēmeim“words”subject or objectdirect plural6×
Luke 1:65“things”… oreina tau Ioudaiau dialalote panteim teim rēmeim houteim,… throughout the hill country of Judea were talking about these events.
Luke 24:11… fanila enōpion autoiu hōsei lēros teim rēmeim houteim, kai apistale autai.But their words seemed like nonsense to them, and …
John 6:63… tas sarkas ouk ōfelatō oudenem; teim rēmeim heim mis lalamē vi pneumem atō …… life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are …
John 10:21allosois legale; Houteim teim rēmeim ouk atō daimonizorōntou; mē daimonem dunotō …… others replied, “These are not the words of a man possessed by a …
John 15:7ean menaveia en mi kai teim rēmeim mu en vi menateia, hem ean …… you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you …
Romans 10:18… eis teim perateim tau oikoumenau teim rēmeim autoiu.… out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”
rēmeiu“words”of, belonging togenitive plural6×
Luke 24:8kai mimnēskila teiu rēmeiu autou,Then they remembered His words.
John 12:47kai ean tinos mu akouateia teiu rēmeiu kai mē fulassateia, mis ouk krinamō …As for anyone who hears My words and does not keep them, I …
Acts 5:32kai nis anō marturois teiu rēmeiu houteiu, kai tem pneumem tem hagiem …We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit …
Hebrews 12:19“words”kai salpingau ēcho kai fōna rēmeiu, hau tois akouarantois paraitela mē prostithira …to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg that no further word be spoken.
2 Peter 3:2“words”mimnēskira teiu prolegorēnteiu rēmeiu hupo toiu hagioiu profētoiu kai tau …… was foretold by the holy prophets and commanded by …
Jude 1:17“words”Vis de, agapētoir, mimnēskivar teiu rēmeiu teiu prolegorēnteiu hupo toiu apostoloiu tou …But you, beloved, remember what was foretold by the apostles of our …
rēmei“words”to, fordative plural1×
John 5:47“words”… grammei ouk pisteuavō, pōs tei ēmei rēmei pisteuavi?… you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I …
rēmeim21×
Luke 2:19tas de Marias panteim suntērate teim rēmeim houteim sumballarōntas en ta kardia autau.But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Luke 2:51… tas mētēras autou diatērate panteim teim rēmeim houteim en ta kardia autau.… His mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
Luke 7:1“sayings”Epeidē plērata panteim teim rēmeim autou eis tain akoain tou laou, …When Jesus had concluded His discourse in the hearing of the people, He went …
John 3:34hon gar apostelata tos theos teim rēmeim tou theou lalatō, ouk gar ek …… whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the …
John 6:68… Simōnos Petros; Kurior, pros tinon apercheni? rēmeim zōau aiōniau echasō,… would we go? You have the words of eternal life.
John 8:20houteim teim rēmeim lalata en te gazofulakie didaskarōntos en …He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts …
John 8:47tos arōntos ek tou theou teim rēmeim tou theou akouatō; dia houtem vis …Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God. The reason you do …
John 12:48… athetarōntos min kai mē labarōntos teim rēmeim mu echatō ton krinarōnton auton; tos …… Me and does not receive My words: The word that I have spoken …
John 14:10… tos patros en mi atō? teim rēmeim heim mis legamō vi apo miautou …… the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do …
John 17:8hoti teim rēmeim heim dōasa mi dōamē autoi, kai …For I have given them the words You gave Me, and they have …
Acts 2:14… vi gnōstem atōr kai enōtizevar teim rēmeim mu.… you, and listen carefully to my words.
Acts 5:20… te hiere to lao panteim teim rēmeim tau zōau houtau.… and tell the people the full message of this new life.”
Acts 6:11… androin legarōntoin hoti Akouanē autou lalarōntou rēmeim blasfēmeim eis Mōuson kai ton theon;… to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against …
Acts 6:13“words”… Tos anthrōpos houtos ouk pauotō lalarōntos rēmeim kata tou topou tou hagiou kai …… who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the …
Acts 10:22“words”… eis ton oikon autou kai akouara rēmeim para su.… instructed him to request your presence in his home so he could hear a message from you.”
Acts 10:44Ēti lalarōntou tou Petrou teim rēmeim houteim epipiptata tem pneumem tem hagiem …While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all …
Acts 11:14“words”hos lalati rēmeim pros sin en hei sōzisi sis …He will convey to you a message by which you and all your household will be saved.’
Acts 13:42“things”… tem metaxu sabbatem lalira autoi teim rēmeim houteim.… people urged them to continue this message on the next Sabbath.
Acts 16:38“words”… de toi stratēgoi tois rabdouchois teim rēmeim houteim; fobila de akouarantois hoti Rōmaiois …So the officers relayed this message to the magistrates, who were alarmed to hear that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.
Acts 26:25… kratistor Fēstor, alla alētheiau kai sōfrosunau rēmeim apofthengomō.… most excellent Festus; I am speaking words of truth and sobriety.
2 Corinthians 12:4“words”… eis ton paradeison kai akouata arrēteim rēmeim heim ouk exestinarōntem anthrōpo lalara.… up to Paradise. The things he heard were inexpressible, things that man is not permitted to tell.
rēmem12×
Matthew 12:36legamō de vi hoti pantem rēmem argem hem lalali tois anthrōpois, apodōali …… day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
Matthew 27:14… ouk apokrinita auto pros oude henem rēmem, hōste thaumazarō ton hēgemonon liōs.… answer, not even to a single charge, much to the governor’s amazement.
Mark 9:32tois de agnoale tem rēmem, kai fobole auton eperōtara.But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask …
Mark 14:72… fōnata; kai anamimnēskita tos Petros tem rēmem hōs legata auto tos Iēsus hoti …… second time. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken to him …
Luke 1:38… doulas kuriou; genetoia mi kata tem rēmem su. kai aperchata apo autau tos …… happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.
Luke 2:15… dē heōs Bēthleem kai horaneia tem rēmem houtem tem genarēntem hem tos kurios …… go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord …
Luke 2:29“word”… ton doulon su, despotor, kata tem rēmem su en eirēna;“Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace.
Luke 2:50kai autois ouk suniēkala tem rēmem hem lalata autoi.But they did not understand the statement He was making to them.
Luke 9:45tois de agnoale tem rēmem houtem, kai ate parakaluptorēntem apo autoiu …But they did not understand this statement. It was veiled from them so …
Acts 10:37“thing”vis oidavē tem generantem rēmem kata holau tau Ioudaiau, archerantos apo …You yourselves know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee …
Acts 28:25… pros allēloin apoluole, legarantou tou Paulou rēmem henem hoti Kalōs tem pneumem tem …… after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit was right when …
Hebrews 6:5kai kalem geuerantoin theou rēmem dunamiain tē mellarōntou aiōnou,… have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of …