Strong's Lexicon mataioó: To make futile, to render vain, to lead to emptiness Original Word: ματαιόω Word Origin: From the Greek adjective ματαιος (mataios), meaning "vain" or "empty." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew equivalent often associated with the concept of futility or vanity is הֶבֶל (hebel), Strong's Hebrew 1892, which appears frequently in Ecclesiastes to describe the fleeting and meaningless nature of life without God. Usage: The verb ματαιόω (mataioó) is used in the New Testament to describe the act of rendering something futile or empty. It conveys the idea of making something ineffective or without purpose. This term often carries a negative connotation, suggesting a departure from truth or a pursuit of things that lack eternal value. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of vanity or futility was often associated with the transient nature of life and the pursuit of earthly pleasures that ultimately lead to emptiness. The biblical use of ματαιόω reflects a similar understanding, emphasizing the futility of idolatry and the emptiness of life apart from God. The early Christian community, living in a culture rich with philosophical and religious ideas, would have been keenly aware of the contrast between the eternal truths of the Gospel and the vain pursuits of the surrounding society. HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 3154 mataióō (from 3152 /mátaios) – become aimless ("pointless"). See 3152 (mataios). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom mataios Definition to make vain, foolish NASB Translation became futile (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3154: ματαιόωματαιόω: (μάταιος); 1 aorist passive ἐματαιώθην; to make empty, vain, foolish: ἐματαιώθησαν ἐν τοῖς διαλογισμοῖς αὐτῶν, were brought to folly in their thoughts, i. e. fell into error, Romans 1:21. (2 Kings 17:15; Jeremiah 2:5; 1 Chronicles 21:8; (etc.); nowhere in Greek authors.) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance become vain. From mataios; to render (passively, become) foolish, i.e. (morally) wicked or (specially), idolatrous -- become vain. see GREEK mataios Forms and Transliterations εματαιώθην εματαιωθησαν εματαιώθησαν ἐματαιώθησαν ματαιούσιν ματαίως μεματαίωμαι μεματαίωταί emataiothesan emataiōthēsan emataiṓthesan emataiṓthēsanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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