χρηματίζω (chrēmatizō)
chrēmatizō
to announce
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb chrēmatizō carries the core meaning of receiving or delivering a formal message, often with an official or divine weight. In the New Testament, it frequently describes God communicating directly with people, guiding their actions through warnings or instructions. This usage appears in passages like Matthew 2:12, where believers are divinely warned in a dream to avoid returning to Herod, and Hebrews 8:5, which notes that Moses was instructed regarding the construction of the tabernacle.
Its range extends beyond general speech to specific divine mandates. The sources highlight its use in Acts 10:22, where Cornelius is told by an angel to send for Peter, and Hebrews 11:7, where Noah receives warning about unseen events. This sense of authoritative instruction distinguishes it from casual conversation, marking it as a transmission of crucial, often life-altering, information from heaven.
A notable nuance in Acts 11:26 is its rare use to mean "to be called" or "assume a name," explaining how the disciples were first called Christians. This specific instance shows the word’s flexibility, though its primary theological weight remains tied to divine revelation and obedience to God's direct commands.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we encounter this word, we are reminded that God often speaks with clarity and purpose. It is not merely a casual whisper but a formal announcement that carries weight for our lives. Whether through dreams or direct instruction, these divine messages guide us toward safety and obedience. The biblical examples show that receiving such guidance requires attention and a willingness to act on what has been shared.
In your own walk, this concept encourages trust in God’s direction even when the path is unclear. Just as Noah prepared for rain he had not yet seen, or the wise men took a different route to avoid danger, we can rely on the truth that God provides the necessary warnings and instructions. This assurance allows us to move forward with confidence, knowing our steps are ordered by Him.
Ultimately, this word highlights the reliability of divine communication. It invites us to listen closely to the Holy Spirit’s promptings in Scripture and in prayer. By remaining attentive to these spiritual signals, we align our lives with God’s will and find peace in His faithful guidance.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- having been divinely warned2×
- was divinely instructed1×
- she will be called1×
- revealed1×
- having been divinely instructed1×
- has been divinely instructed1×
- divinely instructing [them],1×
- Were calling1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- χρηματισθεὶς2×
- ἐχρηματίσθη1×
- χρηματίσει,1×
- χρηματίσαι1×
- χρηματίζοντα,1×
- χρηματισθέντες1×
- κεχρημάτισται1×
- κεχρηματισμένον1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 2:12
Being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way.
This verse demonstrates the word's use for divine protection, showing how a warning in a dream directly altered the believers' physical path to ensure their safety.
-
Hebrews 11:7
By faith Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared a ship for the saving of his house, through which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
Here the term connects faith with action, illustrating how Noah’s response to unseen warnings led him to build the ark and save his household.
-
Acts 10:22
They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who fears God, and well spoken of by all the nation of the Jews, was directed by a holy angel to invite you to his house, and to listen to what you say.”
This occurrence shows the word applied to angelic direction, where a specific command initiated the crucial meeting between Peter and Cornelius.