μισέω
To detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Canonical witness: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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What does μισέω (miséō) mean in the Bible?
μισέω (miséō) is a Greek word meaning "to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less". μισέω, -ῶ [in LXX chiefly for שָׂנֵא ;] to hate: with accusative of person(s) Mat. Expresses covenant priority of Christ above all relationships. This term runs through the canonical themes of Covenant, Messiah.
Meaning
To hate intensely; also means to love less or regard as inferior by comparison.
to hate: with accusative of person(s) Mat.5:43 24:10, Luk.1:71 6:22, 27 19:14, Jhn.7:7 15:18-19, 23-26 17:14, Tit.3:3, 1Jn.2:9 Jn 2:11 Jn 3:13 Jn 3:15 Jn 4:20 Rev.17:16; pass., Mat.10:22 24:9, Mrk.13:13, Luk.21:17; with accusative of thing(s), Jhn.3:20, Rom.7:15, Eph.5:29, Heb.1:9, Ju 23, Rev.2:6; pass., Rev.18:2. As the Heb. שָׂנֵא is sometimes found with the modified sense of indifference to or relative disregard for one thing in comparison with another (cf. Gen.29:30-31, Deu.21:15-16, Mal.1:3) so prob. μ. in the foll.: Mat.6:24, Luk.14:26 16:13, Jhn.12:25, Rom.9:13" (LXX) .
Why This Word Matters
Expresses covenant priority of Christ above all relationships. 1 John 2:7-11
World's moral hostility toward divine testimony. 1 John 4:17-21
Hatred is not merely emotional irritation but relational opposition that contradicts life in the light. Luke 14:25–35
Hatred contradicts claims of loving the unseen God.
Grammatical Forms
How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.
Indicative states a fact or reality 23×
Participle verbal adjective — the action as a modifying quality 14×
Subjunctive possibility, probability, or purpose 2×
Infinitive verbal noun — the action in abstract 1×
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 35 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
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)
Canonical Themes
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
New Testament Witnesses
Additional Occurrences
Appears In
Compound and idiomatic lexemes in which this word is a constituent. Follow a link to study the phrase and its other participating words.
Word Pictures (Robertson)
A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.
A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain