What does μεταμορφόω (metamorphóō) mean in the Bible?
μεταμορφόω (metamorphóō): Inward transformation of essential nature, not merely external appearance or outward rearrangement.
Greek · G3339
μεταμορφόω
To transform (literally or figuratively, "metamorphose")
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μεταμορφόωG3339
Pronunciationmetamorphóō
What does μεταμορφόω (metamorphóō) mean in the Bible?
μεταμορφόω (metamorphóō): Inward transformation of essential nature, not merely external appearance or outward rearrangement.
Full entry for μεταμορφόω (G3339) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render G3339?
The BSB source-word alignment has 4 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include He was transfigured (2), are being transformed into (1), be transformed (1).
Where does μεταμορφόω (metamorphóō) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Matthew 17:2. Its strongest book concentrations include 2 Corinthians (1), Mark (1), Matthew (1), Romans (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders ItHe was transfigured2×Matthew 17:2, Mark 9:2
are being transformed into1×2 Corinthians 3:18
be transformed1×Romans 12:2
Show sample aligned rows
Matthew 17:2μετεμορφώθηtoHe was transfiguredVerb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person SingularMark 9:2μετεμορφώθηtoHe was transfiguredVerb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person SingularRomans 12:2μεταμορφοῦσθεtobe transformedVerb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural2 Corinthians 3:18μεταμορφούμεθαtoare being transformed intoVerb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Plural
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowMatthew 17:2
Aligned rows4
Books represented4
Matthew1Mark1Romans12 Corinthians1
Source forms
μετεμορφώθη2xmetemorphōthēMatthew 17:2, Mark 9:2
μεταμορφούμεθα1xmetamorphoumetha2 Corinthians 3:18
μεταμορφοῦσθε1xmetamorphoustheRomans 12:2
Parsing patterns
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular2xMatthew 17:2, Mark 9:2
Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural1xRomans 12:2
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Plural1x2 Corinthians 3:18
Evidence Summary
Presence
Greek word. Inward transformation of essential nature, not merely external appearance or outward rearrangement.
Strong'sG3339
Lexical occurrences0 versesGreek text appearances4 timesVerse guides0 guides
Study linkMark 9:2–8Source Gloss
to transform (literally or figuratively, "metamorphose")
Extended definitionSource: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith
Inward transformation of essential nature, not merely external appearance or outward rearrangement.
[in Sm.: Psa.34:1 * ;] to transform, transfigure: pass., of Christ's transfiguration, Mat.17:2, Mrk.9:2 (cf. Luk.9:29); of Christians, Rom.12:2, 2Co.3:18.
Synonymsμετασχηματίζω, to change in fashion or appearance, see: μορφή, and cf. Lft., Phi., 125 ff
Greek Text Appearances
Textus Receptus witness, full corpusGreek token appearances from Scrivener 1894 Textus Receptus in the full New Testament corpus.
4 Greek text appearances shown. Linked morphology labels have verse guides.
Matthew 17:2Verb Third Person Singular Aorist Passive Indicative
μετεμορφώθηmetemorfwqh
I change the form, transform
Read verseMark 9:2Verb Third Person Singular Aorist Passive Indicative
μετεμορφώθηmetemorfwqh
I change the form, transform
Read verseRomans 12:2Verb Second Person Plural Present Passive Imperative
μεταμορφοῦσθεmetamorfousqe
I change the form, transform
Read verse2 Corinthians 3:18Verb First Person Plural Present Passive Indicative
μεταμορφούμεθαmetamorfoumeqa
I change the form, transform
Read verseFull New Testament corpus: 260 chapters, 7,957 verses, 140,628 tokens. Data source: honza/textus-receptus (data only), with authority check against byztxt/greektext-textus-receptus.
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 4 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect
Tense
present2aorist2
Voice
passive4
Mood
indicative3imperative1
NT Occurrences
Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Sampled Scripture Occurrences
Representative Scripture witnesses for this entry: passage, original form, and sense in context.
Additional Occurrences
Luke 9:28–36μετεμορφώθηmetamorphóō
Was transformed
Mark 9:2–8μεταμορφόωmetamorphóō
to transform, change form
New Testament Witnesses
was transfigured
To transform, change form.
Word Origins
μεταμορφόω is built from these roots:
Why This Word Matters
Emphasizes inward renewal that reshapes life.
Reveals unveiled divine glory.
Canonical Themes
Presence
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.