κοῦμι (koumi)
koumi
stand up!
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The word koumi is a direct command to "arise" or "stand up," appearing only once in the New Testament at Mark 5:41. It is not standard Greek but an Aramaic interjection, reflecting the language Jesus likely spoke in Galilee. By using this native term, the Gospel writer preserves the immediacy and intimacy of the moment when Jesus speaks to the dead girl.
Its origin lies in the Hebrew imperative qum, meaning to rise or get up. The choice to retain the Aramaic form rather than translating it into Greek suggests a deliberate effort to capture the specific voice of the historical Jesus. It serves as a vivid reminder that the Gospels are translations of his actual spoken words, bridging the gap between first-century Palestine and modern readers.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word koumi appears just once in the New Testament, recorded in Mark 5:41. It is an Aramaic command meaning "stand up," preserved by the Gospel writer to capture the exact voice of Jesus. When He spoke these words to the dead girl, He did not use a formal Greek translation but the intimate, native language of Galilee. This detail reminds us that the Gospels are not distant myths but records of real moments where divine power met human grief.
For your faith, this word offers comfort in times of stillness or despair. It shows that Jesus cares about the specific, personal cry for help. He does not speak from a distance but reaches out with a hand and a voice that commands life into death. You can trust that the same God who spoke to that child hears your own struggles today.
This single word bridges the gap between ancient Palestine and your current season. It invites you to see Jesus not just as a historical figure, but as one who speaks directly to your situation. His command is an invitation to rise, not by your own strength, but by His life-giving power. May this reminder bring you peace and hope in your daily walk.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- koum!1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κουμ,1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 5:41
Taking the child by the hand, he said to her, “Talitha cumi!” which means, being interpreted, “Girl, I tell you, get up!”
This verse preserves the original Aramaic command 'Talitha cumi,' showing Jesus using the intimate language of Galilee to raise the dead girl.