Lexicon
φωνή
phōnē
G5456G
G:N-F Greek

voice/sound: voice

139
Occurrences
11
Books
Greek
Language

phōnē denotes a voice or audible sound, including speech, cries, and sounds made by instruments or other beings.

The term most often denotes an audible voice in speaking, hearing, calling, or addressing others; it also occurs in loud cries from individuals or crowds and in audible sounds associated with instruments or a speaking animal. The supplied verses show it used for voices that convey words, commands, praise, protest, and recognizable personal speech.

Senses in use

  1. A speaking or heard voice · dominant

    This is the dominant use where an audible voice conveys speech or is recognized as belonging to a speaker. In Acts 9:4 the APB renders Saul as hearing a voice speaking to him; in Acts 12:14 it renders a woman as recognizing Peter's voice, and in Acts 10:13 the voice gives Peter a command.

  2. Raised cry or collective vocal outcry · common

    Several clauses place the term with crying out, lifting up, or speaking loudly. In Acts 16:28 the APB renders Paul as crying out with a loud voice, while in Acts 19:34 the crowd cries out with one voice and in Luke 23:23 their loud cries prevail.

  3. Audible sound or signal beyond ordinary speech · occasional

    The term can identify an audible output from things other than an ordinary human speaker. In 1 Corinthians 14:7 the APB speaks of lifeless things giving a voice, including flute and harp; in 1 Corinthians 14:8 it describes a trumpet's unclear sound, and in 2 Peter 2:16 a mute donkey speaks with a human voice.

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the relevant clauses with such wording as “voice,” “loud voice,” “cried out,” “sound,” and “tone.” These variations describe the English clauses rather than establishing separate English equivalents for the term.

Passages featuring this word

Across Scripture