ἰάομαι (iaomai)
iaomai
to heal
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 27 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb iaomai means to heal or cure, encompassing both physical restoration and spiritual wholeness. It appears frequently in the Gospels and Acts, describing Jesus’ ministry of making people whole. In Luke 5:17, for instance, the text notes that the power of the Lord was present to heal, highlighting a divine agency behind the act. The word is used actively when Jesus heals others, as in Matthew 8:13, or passively when someone receives healing, such as the centurion’s servant in Luke 7:7.
Unlike therapeutic terms that might imply medical treatment, iaomai suggests a complete restoration to health. This distinction is visible in Acts 28:8, where Paul heals Publius’ father, an act distinct from mere medical care. The sources also note its figurative use for spiritual healing, as seen in Matthew 13:15 and John 12:40, where hardening of the heart is described as a condition needing remedy. This dual usage connects physical cure with the deeper work of salvation.
Its root connection to making whole underscores its theological weight. While synonyms like therapeuō exist, iaomai carries a sense of immediate and total restoration. Translators typically render it simply as "heal," but the Greek implies a comprehensive fixing of what was broken. This range allows it to bridge the tangible miracles of Jesus with the spiritual realities addressed in the Epistles, such as the healing of sins in James 5:16.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word iaomai points to a deep desire for wholeness that touches both body and spirit. In the Gospels, Jesus uses this term to show that God’s care is not limited to spiritual matters but includes our physical pain and suffering. When you read about the centurion’s servant or the woman with the issue of blood, you see a God who notices individual needs and acts with power to restore them.
This healing extends beyond immediate physical relief. It speaks to a complete restoration where what was broken is made whole again. For many believers, this offers comfort that God is involved in every aspect of life, including illness and hardship. The promise remains that He desires to bring peace and recovery, whether through miraculous intervention or the gradual work of grace in our daily lives.
Ultimately, iaomai reminds us that we are not forgotten in our struggles. It invites trust in a Savior who has the authority to heal and the compassion to care. This hope anchors the Christian faith, assuring believers that God’s power is available to bring restoration to every area of need.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 27 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to heal3×
- I will heal3×
- was healed2×
- healed2×
- having been healed2×
- He healed2×
- you may be healed;1×
- you have been healed.1×
- will be healed1×
- was healing1×
- she was healed1×
- she has been healed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἰάσατο4×
- ἰάσομαι3×
- ἰάθη3×
- ἰᾶσθαι2×
- ἴαται1×
- ἰᾶτο.¶1×
- ἰᾶτο1×
- ἰᾶταί1×
- ἰώμενος1×
- ἰάσηται1×
- ἰάθητε.1×
- ἰάθη,1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 8:13
Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way. Let it be done for you as you have believed.” His servant was healed in that hour.
This verse highlights how Jesus’ healing responds directly to the centurion’s faith, showing that belief opens the way for divine restoration.
-
Luke 5:17
On one of those days, he was teaching; and there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by who had come out of every village of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. The power of the Lord was with him to heal them.
Here the text emphasizes that the power of the Lord was present specifically to heal, grounding the miracle in God’s active agency rather than human effort.
-
Matthew 13:15
for this people’s heart has grown callous, their ears are dull of hearing, and they have closed their eyes; or else perhaps they might perceive with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and would turn again, and I would heal them.’
This occurrence extends the meaning of healing to spiritual restoration, suggesting that turning back to God involves a remedy for the hardened heart.
-
Acts 28:8
The father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him.
Paul’s healing of Publius’ father demonstrates that this power continues through the apostles, bridging the Gospel miracles with the early church’s ministry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word iaomai mean?
How is iaomai different from other healing words?
Where does this word appear most frequently?
Every Occurrence (27 verses across 8 books)
Matthew 4 verses
The centurion answered, “Lord, I’m not worthy for you to come under my roof. Just say the word, and my servant will be…
Matthew 8:13Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way. Let it be done for you as you have believed.” His servant was healed in that…
Matthew 13:15for this people’s heart has grown callous, their ears are dull of hearing, and they have closed their eyes; or else…
Matthew 15:28Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire.” And her daughter was…