μιαίνωmiaínō
to sully or taint, i.e. contaminate (ceremonially or morally)
Greek (New Testament) · G3392
Meanings
1. to dye or stain.
2. to stain, defile, soil
(a) in physical sense
(b) in moral sense: Titus 1:15, Hebrews 12:15, Jude 1:8
(c) in ritual sense (cf. Leviticus 22:5, and elsewhere): John 18:28.
Synonyms
μολύνω, to besmear, which also differs from μ. in that it is never used, as μ. in its primary meaning, in an honourable sense (cf. Tr., Syn., § xxxi).
Same root
Where it appears
Appears 5 times in the Bible.
- John 18:28 Jesus’ trial before Caiaphas ended in the early hours of the morning. Then he was taken to the headquarters of the Roman governor. His accusers didn’t go inside because it would defile them, and they wouldn’t be allowed to celebrate the Passover.
- Titus 1:15 Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted.
- Hebrews 12:15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.
- Jude 1:8 In the same way, these people—who claim authority from their dreams—live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings.
Source: G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), public domain.