Original Word: ἄδω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: adó
Pronunciation: ah'-do
Phonetic Spelling: (ad'-o)
Definition: To sing
Meaning: I sing.

sing.

To sing -- sing.

Word Origin
from aeidó (to sing)
Definition
to sing
NASB Translation
sang (3), singing (2).

STRONGS NT 103: ᾄδω

ᾄδω (ἀείδω); common in Greek of every period; in the Sept. for שׁוּר; to sing, chant;

1. intransitive: τίνι, to the praise of anyone (Judith 16:1 (2)), Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16 (in both passages of the lyrical emotion of a devout and grateful soul).

2. transitive: ᾠδήν, Revelation 5:9; Revelation 14:3; Revelation 15:3.

Word Origin: A primary verb

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H7891 שִׁיר (shiyr) • to sing
• H2172 זָמַר (zamar) • to make music, sing praises

These Hebrew terms share a similar semantic range with ἄδω, emphasizing the act of singing as an integral part of worship and celebration in the biblical tradition.

Usage: The verb ἄδω is used in the New Testament to denote the act of singing, often in the context of worship or praise to God. It is a term that conveys the expression of joy, reverence, and adoration through song.

Context: The Greek verb ἄδω appears in the New Testament as a significant expression of worship and spiritual devotion. It is primarily used in contexts that involve singing hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs, often as a collective act of worship among believers. The act of singing is portrayed as a natural response to the grace and majesty of God, as well as a means of edification and encouragement within the Christian community.

In Ephesians 5:19, Paul exhorts believers to "speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord." Here, ἄδω is part of a broader instruction on living a Spirit-filled life, where singing becomes an expression of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

Similarly, in Colossians 3:16, the apostle encourages the church to "let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." The use of ἄδω in this context underscores the importance of singing as a vehicle for teaching, admonishing, and expressing gratitude.

The Book of Revelation also features the verb ἄδω in scenes of heavenly worship. In Revelation 5:9, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders sing a new song, proclaiming the worthiness of the Lamb to open the scroll. This depiction of singing in the heavenly realm highlights the eternal and transcendent nature of worship through song.

Overall, ἄδω is a term that encapsulates the joy and reverence of the Christian faith, serving as a vital component of both individual and corporate worship. It reflects the biblical theme of music as a divine gift that enables believers to connect with God and with one another in profound and meaningful ways.

άδειν άδοντας αδοντες άδοντες ᾄδοντες αδόντων άδουσαι αδούσας άδουσι αδουσιν άδουσιν ᾄδουσιν αδουσών άσατε ασάτωσαν άσομαι άσομαί άσομεν άσον άσονται άσω άσωμεν ήσαν ήσε ήσεν adontes adousin ā́idontes ā́idousinInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts