ἐκκρεμάννυμι

I hang out, hang upon

Definition

The verb ἐκκρεμάννυμι (ekkremannymi) literally means 'to hang out' or 'to hang from.' In its active voice, it can describe something being suspended or projecting outward. In its middle voice, which is how it appears in the New Testament, it takes on the figurative sense of 'to hang upon' someone, implying intense, devoted attention or dependence. This metaphorical usage paints a picture of being completely absorbed in listening to or relying upon another person. The word's single biblical occurrence in Luke 19:48 perfectly illustrates this meaning, describing the crowd's rapt attention to Jesus.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 19:48. It appears in the middle voice, describing the reaction of the people who heard Jesus teaching in the temple: 'and all the people were hanging on his words.' The context is the final days of Jesus' ministry in Jerusalem, where his authority and teaching captivated the crowds, much to the frustration of the religious leaders who sought to destroy him. The usage highlights the powerful, arresting effect of Jesus' message on the common people.

Etymology

ἐκκρεμάννυμι is a compound verb formed from the preposition ἐκ (ek), meaning 'out of' or 'from,' and the root verb κρεμάννυμι (kremannymi), meaning 'to hang' or 'to suspend.' The prefix ἐκ intensifies the sense, suggesting hanging 'out from' something. It is related to the more common noun κρεμάζω (kremazō, G2910) and shares a root with words involving suspension or attachment.

Semantic Range

Though used only once, this word provides a vivid snapshot of Jesus' impact as a teacher. The image of the people 'hanging upon his words' underscores the compelling authority and life-giving nature of his message (John 6:68). It contrasts the receptive hearts of the crowd with the hardened opposition of the religious establishment. For the modern reader, understanding this Greek term enriches the scene, moving beyond mere 'listening' to envision a posture of total, dependent engagement with Christ's teaching.

In the Greco-Roman world, public oratory and teaching were highly valued. A skilled speaker could command the rapt attention of an audience. The metaphor of 'hanging on someone's words' would have been a recognizable cultural idiom for being utterly captivated by a speaker's rhetoric. In Luke's narrative, applying this term to Jesus affirms his supreme skill and authority as a public teacher, whose words held a power that went beyond mere human eloquence.

ἀκούω (akouō, G191) — a general term for 'to hear' or 'to listen,' lacking the intense, dependent connotation of ἐκκρεμάννυμι. προσέχω (prosechō, G4337) — means 'to pay attention to' or 'give heed to,' but is less vivid than the hanging metaphor. κρεμάννυμι (kremannymi) — the root verb meaning simply 'to hang,' used literally for physical suspension.

Word Details

Scripture References