Original Word: ἔννοια
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: ennoia
Pronunciation: EN-noy-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (en'-noy-ah)
Definition: Thought, intention, mind, understanding
Meaning: thinking, consideration; a thought, purpose, design, intention.

intent, mind.

From a compound of en and nous; thoughtfulness, i.e. Moral understanding -- intent, mind.

see GREEK en

see GREEK nous

1771 énnoia (from 1722 /en, "engaged in," which intensifies 3563 /noús, "mind") – properly, the "engaged mind," i.e. what a person (literally) has "in-mind" (BAGD, "insight"); settled (thought-out) opinions, attitudes.

Word Origin
from en and nous
Definition
thinking, thoughtfulness, i.e. moral understanding
NASB Translation
intentions (1), purpose (1).

STRONGS NT 1771: ἔννοια

ἔννοια, ἐννοίας, ἡ (νοῦς);

1. the act of thinking, consideration, meditation; (Xenophon, Plato, others).

2. a thought, notion, conception; (Plato, Phaedo, p. 73 c., etc.; especially in philosophical writings, as Cicero, Tusc. 1, 24, 57; Acad. 2, 7 and 10; Epictetus diss. 2, 11, 2f, etc.; Plutarch, plac. philos. 4, 11, 1; (Diogenes Laërtius 3, 79).

3. mind, understanding, will; manner of thinking and feeling; German Gesinnung (Euripides, Hel. 1026; Diodorus 2, 30 variant; τοιαύτην ἔννοιαν ἐμποίειν τίνι, Isocrates, p. 112 d.; τήρησον τήν ἐμήν βουλήν καί ἔννοιαν, Proverbs 3:21; φυλάσσειν ἔννοιαν ἀγαθήν, Proverbs 5:2): so 1 Peter 4:1; plural with καρδίας added (as in Proverbs 23:19), Hebrews 4:12 (A. V. intents of the heart), cf. Wis. 2:14.

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek preposition "ἐν" (en, meaning "in") and the noun "νοῦς" (nous, meaning "mind" or "understanding").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἔννοια, similar concepts can be found in Hebrew words such as לֵב (leb, Strong's H3820), which refers to the heart as the seat of thought and intention, and מַחֲשָׁבָה (machashabah, Strong's H4284), meaning thought, plan, or intention. These terms reflect the Hebrew Bible's emphasis on the inner life and the moral and spiritual dimensions of human thought.

Usage: The word ἔννοια is used in the New Testament to convey the idea of an inward thought or intention. It appears in contexts that discuss the inner workings of the mind and the intentions behind actions.

Context: • Occurrences in the New Testament: The term ἔννοια is found in the New Testament in Hebrews 4:12, where it is used to describe the discerning power of the Word of God. The verse states, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (BSB). Here, ἔννοια is translated as "intentions," highlighting the Word's ability to penetrate and evaluate the deepest thoughts and purposes of the human heart.
• Theological Significance: In a theological context, ἔννοια underscores the importance of inner motives and the sincerity of one's thoughts and intentions. It suggests that God is concerned not only with outward actions but also with the internal deliberations that lead to those actions. This aligns with the broader biblical theme that God examines the heart and values genuine faith and integrity.
• Relation to Other Biblical Concepts: The concept of ἔννοια is closely related to the biblical understanding of the heart as the center of thought and intention. It is also linked to the idea of wisdom and discernment, as it involves the ability to form and evaluate thoughts in accordance with divine truth.

έννοια εννοιαν έννοιαν ἔννοιαν εννοίας εννοιων εννοιών ἐννοιῶν ennoian énnoian ennoion ennoiôn ennoiōn ennoiō̂nInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts