G4487 – rhema – ῥῆμα – a spoken word; fig. a personal message

Strong’s ID:
G4487
Greek Word:
ῥῆμα
Transliteration:
rhema
Pronunciation:
hray’-mah
Part of Speech:
noun neuter
Etymology:
from
Comparables:
, a declaration, discourse; trad. a word
Equivalents:
, speech, word, matter
Usage Count:
70
Search:
Find “rhema” in the Bible (New Testament)

Equip God’s People Greek Lexicon

1) a spoken word, utterance
2) figuratively: a personal message (i.e., that which is “spoken over” someone)

Word Picture:

"Rhema" can refer to a simple spoken statement by anyone, though sometimes it is linked to divine revelation: a specific message of Divine origin.

While “rhema” and “logos” () both touch on the idea of “word,” each brings its unique shade of meaning to the table. Think of “logos” as a general announcement to a crowd, while “rhema” is like a whispered secret meant just for you.

In fact, “logos” derives from “lego” ()—meaning to “lay out, relate in words”—suggesting a broader message for a wider audience. Whereas “rhema” stems from “rheo,” connoting more of a personal message that is “uttered” () and “flows over/through” () someone. While not a definitive portrayal, this concept is representative of Jesus—the Word that has been “laid out” for all—and the Holy Spirit—the Breath that “flows over/through” us.

Equip God’s People Greek Lexicon © 2013–2024. All rights reserved.

Strong’s Greek Lexicon

from ; an utterance (individually, collectively or specifically); by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negative naught whatever:— + evil, + nothing, saying, word.

Owing to changes in the enumeration while in progress, there were no words left for numbers 2717 and 3203–3302, which were therefore silently dropped out of the vocabulary and references as redundant.

Thayer’s Greek Definitions

1) that which is or has been uttered by the living voice, thing spoken, word
1a) any sound produced by the voice and having definite meaning
1b) speech, discourse
1b1) what one has said
1c) a series of words joined together into a sentence (a declaration of one’s mind made in words)
1c1) an utterance
1c2) a saying of any sort as a message, a narrative
1c2a) concerning some occurrence
2) subject matter of speech, thing spoken of
2a) so far forth as it is a matter of narration
2b) so far as it is a matter of command
2c) a matter of dispute, case at law

Thayer’s Definitions are as edited by the Online Bible of Winterbourne, Ontario. They removed the etymology, cross-references, and Greek phrases and changed some of Thayer’s Unitarian doctrinal positions concerning the work and person of Christ.