ἐμέω (emeō)
emeō
to vomit
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb emeō means to vomit, describing the physical act of expelling stomach contents. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Revelation 3:16, where Jesus addresses the church in Laodicea. He declares that because they are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—he will spit them out of his mouth.
This stark imagery serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual indifference. The source material notes its rare use in the Septuagint (Isaiah 19:14), where it describes confusion or disorientation, but Revelation employs it more literally to convey disgust and rejection. Translators consistently render this as "spit out" or "vomit," preserving the visceral nature of Christ’s warning against half-hearted faith.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word emeō describes a physical reaction to something repulsive, appearing in Revelation 3:16 as Jesus warns the church in Laodicea about spiritual indifference. Being lukewarm is not a neutral state but one that provokes divine rejection, much like spoiled water that cannot be used for healing or cleansing.
This vivid imagery reminds us that half-hearted faith is unpalatable to God. He desires wholehearted devotion rather than casual association. Let this challenge prompt you to examine your own heart, seeking a genuine and active relationship with Christ instead of settling for routine religion.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to spit1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐμέσαι1×
Key Verses
-
Revelation of John 3:16
So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth.
This verse uses the word to depict Jesus’ visceral rejection of spiritual apathy, showing that indifference is not acceptable to Him.