ὁμείρομαι (homeiromai)
homeiromai
yearn for
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb homeiromai describes an intense, earnest longing or yearning for something. It appears only once in the New Testament, in Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 2:17), where he expresses his deep desire to see the believers again.
While its classical form is himeromai, this variant likely carries a distinct nuance of passionate personal desire. The word conveys more than casual wishful thinking; it implies a strong emotional pull toward an absent object or person, reflecting the depth of Paul’s affection for his spiritual family.
Translators typically render this term as "longed for" or "yearned after," capturing the heartfelt nature of Paul’s sentiment. This single usage highlights the personal bonds within early Christian communities, showing how leaders felt genuine emotional connections to those they served.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word homeiromai captures a deep, personal longing that goes beyond simple preference. It describes an earnest desire for someone or something absent, reflecting a heart deeply invested in its object. In the New Testament, this term appears only once, offering us a rare glimpse into the emotional depth of apostolic ministry.
Paul uses this word to describe his feelings toward the Thessalonian believers. His yearning was not for status or praise, but for genuine connection with those he had helped lead to faith. This reminds us that Christian relationships are meant to be rooted in sincere affection and mutual care. When we feel separated from loved ones in Christ, such longing can be a sign of healthy spiritual bonds.
Understanding this word encourages us to value our connections within the church community. It invites us to express our care for others with honesty and warmth, knowing that God honors heartfelt devotion. May we find comfort in knowing that our desires for fellowship are part of God's design for His people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- yearning for1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὁμειρόμενοι1×
Key Verses
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I Thessalonians 2:8
Even so, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not the Good News of God only, but also our own souls, because you had become very dear to us.
This verse uses the term to show Paul's affectionate longing for the believers, revealing that his desire to share the gospel was intertwined with a deep personal care for their well-being.