Original Word: τολμάω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: tolmaó
Pronunciation: tol-MAH-oh
Phonetic Spelling: (tol-mah'-o)
Definition: To dare, to be bold, to have courage
Meaning: I dare, endure, am bold, have courage, make up the mind.

Word Origin: From the Greek root τλῆναι (tlēnai), meaning "to bear" or "to endure."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "tolmaó," the concept of boldness and courage is often expressed in the Old Testament with words like חָזַק (chazaq, Strong's H2388) meaning "to be strong" or "to strengthen," and אָמֵץ (amats, Strong's H553) meaning "to be courageous."

Usage: The verb "tolmaó" conveys the idea of daring or having the courage to do something that might be considered risky or challenging. It often implies a sense of boldness or audacity in the face of potential danger or opposition. In the New Testament, it is used to describe actions taken with confidence and bravery, often in the context of proclaiming the Gospel or standing firm in faith.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, courage and boldness were highly valued traits, often associated with heroism and virtue. The early Christians, living in a society that was frequently hostile to their beliefs, would have understood "tolmaó" as a call to stand firm in their faith despite persecution or societal pressure. This concept of boldness was not just about personal bravery but was deeply connected to the conviction and empowerment that came from their faith in Christ.

5111 tolmáō (from tolma, "bold courage") – properly, to show daring courage necessary for a valid risk ("putting it all on the line"); courageously venture forward by putting fear behind and embracing the fruit that lies ahead for taking a necessary risk.

Word Origin
from tolma (boldness)
Definition
to have courage, to be bold
NASB Translation
am...bold (1), bold (2), courageous (1), dare (4), dared (1), gathered up courage (1), have courage (1), have...courage (1), presume (1), venture (2), ventured (1).

STRONGS NT 5111: τολμάω

τολμάω, τολμῶ; imperfect 3 person singular ἐτόλμα, plural ἐτόλμων; future τολμήσω; 1 aorist ἐτόλησα; (τολμᾷ or τόλμῃ (`daring'; Curtius, § 236)); from Homer down; to dare;

a. not to dread or shun through fear: followed by an infinitive, Matthew 22:46; Mark 12:34; Luke 20:40; John 21:12 (Winer's Grammar, § 65, 7b.); Acts 5:13; Acts 7:32; Romans 15:18; 2 Corinthians 10:12; Philippians 1:14; Jude 1:9; τολμήσας εἰσῆλθεν, took courage and went in, Mark 15:43 (Herodian, 8, 5, 22; Plutarch, vit. Cam. 22, 6).

b. to bear, endure; to bring oneself to; (cf. Winer's Grammar, as above): followed by an infinitive, Romans 5:7; 1 Corinthians 6:1.

c. absolutely, to be bold; bear oneself boldly, deal boldly: 2 Corinthians 11:21; ἐπί τινα, against one, 2 Corinthians 10:2. (Compare: ἀποτολμάω.) [SYNONYMS: τολμάω, θαρρέω: θαρρέω denotes confidence in one's own strength or capacity, θαρρέω boldness or daring in undertaking; θαρρέω has reference more to the character, τολμάω to its manifestation. Cf. Schmidt, chapter 24, 4; chapter 141. The words are found together in 2 Corinthians 10:2.]

be bold, dare

From tolma (boldness; probably itself from the base of telos through the idea of extreme conduct); to venture (objectively or in act; while tharrheo is rather subjective or in feeling); by implication, to be courageous -- be bold, boldly, dare, durst.

see GREEK telos

see GREEK tharrheo

ετολμα ετόλμα ἐτόλμα ετόλμησε ετόλμησέ ετολμησεν ετόλμησεν ἐτόλμησεν ἐτόλμησέν ετολμων ετόλμων ἐτόλμων τολμα τολμά τολμᾷ τολμαν τολμάν τολμᾷν τολμᾶν τολμησαι τολμήσαι τολμῆσαι τολμησας τολμήσας τολμήσουσιν τολμησω τολμήσω τολμω τολμώ τολμῶ τολμωμεν τολμώμεν τολμῶμεν etolma etólma etolmesen etolmēsen etólmesen etólmesén etólmēsen etólmēsén etolmon etolmōn etólmon etólmōn tolma tolmā̂i tolmā̂in tolman tolmesai tolmêsai tolmēsai tolmē̂sai tolmesas tolmēsas tolmḗsas tolmeso tolmēsō tolmḗso tolmḗsō tolmo tolmô tolmō tolmō̂ tolmomen tolmômen tolmōmen tolmō̂menInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts