What does σαίνω (saínō) mean in the Bible?
σαίνω (saínō): Fawning flattery that deceives or beguiles, originally from a dog's tail-wagging to show false affection
Greek · G4525
σαίνω
To shake
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.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
σαίνω G4525
Pronunciation saínō
What does σαίνω (saínō) mean in the Bible?
σαίνω (saínō): Fawning flattery that deceives or beguiles, originally from a dog's tail-wagging to show false affection
Full entry for σαίνω (G4525) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render G4525?
The BSB source-word alignment has 1 aligned row for this entry. Common renderings include would be shaken (1).
Where does σαίνω (saínō) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at 1 Thessalonians 3:3. Its strongest book concentrations include 1 Thessalonians (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 It would be shaken 1× 1 Thessalonians 3:3
Show sample aligned rows
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row 1 Thessalonians 3:3
Aligned rows 1
Books represented 1
1 Thessalonians 1
Source forms
σαίνεσθαι 1x sainesthai 1 Thessalonians 3:3
Parsing patterns
Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive 1x 1 Thessalonians 3:3
Evidence Summary
Greek word. Fawning flattery that deceives or beguiles, originally from a dog's tail-wagging to show false affection
Source Gloss
to shake
Extended definition Source: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith
Fawning flattery that deceives or beguiles, originally from a dog's tail-wagging to show false affection
1prop. (Hom., al.), of dogs, to wag the tail, fawn.
2Metaphorical, of persons, with accusative, to fawn upon, flatter, beguile: pass., 1Th.3:3 (for conjectural emendations of the text, see ICC, and M, Th., in l).
Greek Text Appearances
Textus Receptus witness, full corpus Greek token appearances from Scrivener 1894 Textus Receptus in the full New Testament corpus.
1 Greek text appearance shown. Linked morphology labels have verse guides.
1 Thessalonians 3:3 Verb Present Passive Infinitive
σαίνεσθαι sainesqai
I move, disturb
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 1 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect
Tense
present 1
Voice
passive 1
Mood
infinitive 1
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)
Word Origins
σαίνω is built from this root:
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain