UBS Greek Dictionary Article

Notes: The analysis of ῥώννυμαι in its epistolary usage is similar to the use of the term dear in English, used at the beginning of a letter. It may actually represent an affectionate greeting, but it is more likely to occur simply as a greeting formula.

Form 1

Part of speech: verb

Sense 1: to fare well

Semantic entry: 23.133

Semantic domains: Physiological Processes and States

Subdomains: Health, Vigor, Strength

Definition: (derivative of a base meaning literally ‘to be strong,’ ‘to be well,’ but used in the NT only as a formula for the ending of letters) to be well and to fare well{N:001}

Notes: The occurrence of ῥώννυμαι as an epistolary formula may be understood in two different senses: either as a sincere expression of the wish that the person involved may fare well or merely as a device to indicate that the letter is complete. This second sense of ῥώννυμαι is treated in 33.24: ῥώννυμι.

Forms: ῥώννυμαι[a]

Show passage in OET: ACT 15:29

OET-RV ACT 15:29

29 you all must keep away from anything sacrificed to idols, from eating or drinking blood or strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well if you avoid these things. Farewell.

OET-LV ACT 15:29

29 to _be _keeping _away from _idol _sacrificed things, and from _blood, and from _strangled animals, and from _sexual _immorality, from which keeping yourselves, you _all _will _be _doing well.
Stay _strong.

Jump to OET ACT 15:29 section.

Sense 2: goodbye

Semantic entry: 33.24

Semantic domains: Communication

Subdomains: Discourse Types

Definition: to end a letter by means of the expression ἔρρωσθε (ἐρρώσσω in some manuscripts), always having a favorable connotation

Notes: Since in OET ACT 15:29 ἔρρωσθε ends a letter, it may be necessary in some languages to employ a typical letter-ending formula which will at the same time be favorable, for example, ‘with best wishes’ or ‘with sincere greetings.’ It would be quite wrong to use literally an expression such as ‘goodbye’ if this would be employed only or principally in direct address rather than at the end of a letter. For another interpretation of ἔρρωσθε in OET ACT 15:29, see 23.133: ῥώννυμι.

Forms: ῥώννυμαι[b]