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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1"/><title>Strong's Greek: 3444. μορφή (morphé) -- Form, appearance, nature</title></title><link rel="canonical" href="http://biblehub.com/greek/3444.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/strongsnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/interlinear/vmenus/matthew/1-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmstrongs/greek/3444.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/strongs.htm">Strong's</a> > <a href="/englishmans_greek.htm">Greek</a> > 3444</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../greek/3443.htm" title="3443">◄</a> 3444. morphé <a href="../greek/3445.htm" title="3445">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading">Strong's Lexicon</div><div align="left"><span class="toptitle2">morphé: Form, appearance, nature</span></div><p><span class="tophdg">Original Word: </span><span class="greek">μορφή</span><br><span class="tophdg">Part of Speech: </span>Noun, Feminine<br><span class="tophdg">Transliteration: </span>morphé<br><span class="tophdg">Pronunciation: </span>mor-FAY<br><span class="tophdg">Phonetic Spelling: </span>(mor-fay')<br><span class="tophdg">Definition: </span>Form, appearance, nature<br><span class="tophdg">Meaning: </span>form, shape, outward appearance.<p><span class="tophdg">Word Origin: </span>Derived from the root μορφ- (morph-), which relates to form or shape.<p><span class="tophdg">Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: </span>While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "morphé," the concept of form or appearance can be related to Hebrew words like תָּבְנִית (tabnith - Strong's 8403) meaning pattern or form, and צֶלֶם (tselem - Strong's 6754) meaning image or likeness.<p><span class="tophdg">Usage: </span>In the New Testament, "morphé" refers to the essential form or nature of something, particularly in a way that is visible or manifest. It is used to describe the outward expression of an inner reality. The term implies more than just external appearance; it encompasses the true essence or nature of a being.<p><span class="tophdg">Cultural and Historical Background: </span>In ancient Greek philosophy, "morphé" was often contrasted with "eidos" (idea or form) and "hylē" (matter), reflecting the philosophical discussions about the nature of reality and appearance. In the context of the New Testament, "morphé" is used to convey the divine nature and essence of Christ, particularly in relation to His incarnation and His pre-existent divine form.<div class="vheading2">HELPS Word-studies</div><p class="discovery"><b>3444</b> <i>morphḗ</i> – properly, <i>form</i> (outward expression) that <i>embodies essential</i> (inner) substance so that the <i>form</i> is in complete harmony with the inner<i> essence</i>. </p><iframe width="100%" height="85" scrolling=no src="/discovery.htm" frameborder=0 cellpadding=0></iframe><div class="vheading2">NAS Exhaustive Concordance</div><span class="hdg">Word Origin</span><br>a prim. word<br><span class="hdg">Definition</span><br>form, shape<br><span class="hdg">NASB Translation</span><br>form (3).<p><div align="center"><span class="smalltext"><iframe width="100%" height="85" scrolling=no src="/nasec.htm" frameborder=0 cellpadding=0></iframe></span></div><div class="vheading2">Thayer's Greek Lexicon</div><span class="maintitle">STRONGS NT 3444: μορφή</span><br><br><span class="arttitle"><span class="grktitle">μορφή</span></span>, <span class="greek2">μορφῆς</span>, <span class="greek2">ἡ</span> (from root signifying 'to lay hold of', 'seize' (cf. German <span class="foreign">Fassung</span>); <span class="abbreviation">Fick</span>, Part i., p. 174; <span class="abbreviation">Vanicek</span>, p. 719), from <span class="abbreviation">Homer</span> down, <span class="accented">the form by which a person or thing strikes the vision; the external appearance</span>: children are said to reflect <span class="greek2">ψυχῆς</span> <span class="greek2">τέ</span> <span class="greek2">καί</span> <span class="greek2">μορφῆς</span> <span class="greek2">ὁμοιότητα</span> (of their parents), 4 Macc. 15:3 (4); <span class="greek2">ἐφανερώθη</span> <span class="greek2">ἐν</span> <span class="greek2">ἑτέρα</span> <span class="greek2">μορφή</span>, <a href="/interlinear/mark/16-12.htm">Mark 16:12</a>; <span class="greek2">ἐν</span> <span class="greek2">μορφή</span> <span class="greek2">Θεοῦ</span> <span class="greek2">ὑπάρχων</span>, <a href="/interlinear/philippians/2-6.htm">Philippians 2:6</a>; <span class="greek2">μορφήν</span> <span class="greek2">δούλου</span> <span class="greek2">λαβών</span>, <a href="/interlinear/philippians/2-7.htm">Philippians 2:7</a>; — this whole passage (as I have shown more fully in the Zeitschr. f. wissensch. Theol. for 1873, pp. 33ff, with which compare the different view given by Holsten in the Jahrbb. f. protest. Theol. for 1875, p. 449ff) is to be explained as follows: <span class="accented">who, although</span> (formerly when he was <span class="greek2">λόγος</span> <span class="greek2">ἄσαρκος</span>) "he bore the form (in which he appeared to the inhabitants of heaven) of God (the sovereign, opposed to <span class="greek2">μορφή</span> <span class="greek2">δούλου</span>), yet did not think that this equality with God was to be eagerly clung to or retained (see <span class="greek2"><span class="lexref">ἁρπαγμός</span></span>, 2), but emptied himself of it (see <span class="greek2"><span class="lexref">κενόω</span></span>, 1) so as to assume the form of a servant, in that he became like unto men (for angels also are <span class="greek2">δοῦλοι</span> <span class="greek2">τοῦ</span> <span class="greek2">Θεοῦ</span>, <a href="/interlinear/revelation/19-10.htm">Revelation 19:10</a>; <a href="/interlinear/revelation/22-8.htm">Revelation 22:8</a>f) and was found in fashion as a man". (God <span class="greek2">μένει</span> <span class="greek2">ἀεί</span> <span class="greek2">ἁπλῶς</span> <span class="greek2">ἐν</span> <span class="greek2">τῇ</span> <span class="greek2">αὐτοῦ</span> <span class="greek2">μορφή</span>, <span class="abbreviation">Plato</span>, de rep. 2, p. 381 c., and it is denied that God <span class="greek2">φαντάζεσθαι</span> <span class="greek2">ἄλλοτε</span> <span class="greek2">ἐν</span> <span class="greek2">ἀλλαις</span> <span class="greek2">ἰδέαις</span> ... <span class="greek2">καί</span> <span class="greek2">ἀλλαττοντα</span> <span class="greek2">τό</span> <span class="greek2">αὐτοῦ</span> <span class="greek2">εἶδος</span> <span class="greek2">εἰς</span> <span class="greek2">πολλάς</span> <span class="greek2">μορφας</span> ... <span class="greek2">καί</span> <span class="greek2">τῆς</span> <span class="greek2">ἑαυτοῦ</span> <span class="greek2">ἰδεας</span> <span class="greek2">ἐκβαίνειν</span>, p. 380 d.; <span class="greek2">ἡκιστ'</span> <span class="greek2">ἄν</span> <span class="greek2">πολλάς</span> <span class="greek2">μορφας</span> <span class="greek2">ἰσχοι</span> <span class="greek2">ὁ</span> <span class="greek2">Θεός</span>, p. 381 b.; <span class="greek2">ἑνός</span> <span class="greek2">σώματος</span> <span class="greek2">οὐσίαν</span> <span class="greek2">μετασχηματίζειν</span> <span class="greek2">καί</span> <span class="greek2">μεταχαράττειν</span> <span class="greek2">εἰς</span> <span class="greek2">πολυτροπους</span> <span class="greek2">μορφας</span>, <span class="abbreviation">Philo</span> leg. ad Gaium § 11; <span class="greek2">οὐ</span> <span class="greek2">γάρ</span> <span class="greek2">ὥσπερ</span> <span class="greek2">τό</span> <span class="greek2">νόμισμα</span> <span class="greek2">παρακομμα</span> <span class="greek2">καί</span> <span class="greek2">Θεοῦ</span> <span class="greek2">μορφή</span> <span class="greek2">γίνεται</span>, ibid. § 14 at the end; God <span class="greek2">ἔργοις</span> <span class="greek2">μέν</span> <span class="greek2">καί</span> <span class="greek2">χαρισιν</span> <span class="greek2">ἐνεργής</span> <span class="greek2">καί</span> <span class="greek2">παντός</span> <span class="greek2">ὁυτινοσουν</span> <span class="greek2">φανερωτερος</span>, <span class="greek2">μορφήν</span> <span class="greek2">δέ</span> <span class="greek2">καί</span> <span class="greek2">μέγεθος</span> <span class="greek2">ἡμῖν</span> <span class="greek2">ἀφανεστατος</span>, <span class="abbreviation">Josephus</span>, contra Apion 2, 22, 2.)<FOOTNOTE:1> [<span class="arttitle">SYNONYMS:</span> <span class="greek2">μορφή</span>, <span class="greek2">σχῆμα</span>: according to <span class="abbreviation">Lightfoot</span> (see the thorough discussion in his 'Detached Note' on Phil. ii.) and <span class="abbreviation">Trench</span> (N. T. Synonyms, § lxx.), <span class="greek2">μορφή</span> <span class="accented">form</span> differs from <span class="greek2">σχῆμα</span> <span class="accented">figure, shape, fashion,</span> as that which is intrinsic and essential, from that which is outward and accidental. So in the main Bengel, Philippi, others, on <a href="/interlinear/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a>; but the distinction is rejected by many; see Meyer and especially Fritzsche, in the place cited Yet the last-named commentator makes <span class="greek2">μορφή</span> <span class="greek2">δούλου</span> in Philippians, the passage cited relate to the complete form, or nature, of a servant; and <span class="greek2">σχῆμα</span> to the external form, or human body.] <br><br><iframe width="100%" height="85" scrolling=no src="/bsoft.htm" frameborder=0 cellpadding=0></iframe><div class="vheading2">Strong's Exhaustive Concordance</div>form. <p>Perhaps from the base of <a href="/greek/3313.htm">meros</a> (through the idea of adjustment of parts); shape; figuratively, nature -- form. <p>see GREEK <a href="/greek/3313.htm">meros</a> <div class="vheading2">Forms and Transliterations</div>μορφη μορφή μορφῇ μορφην μορφήν μορφὴν morphe morphē morphêi morphē̂i morphen morphēn morphḕn<div class="vheading2">Links</div><a href="/interlinear/matthew/1-1.htm">Interlinear Greek</a> • <a href="/interlinear/genesis/1-1.htm">Interlinear Hebrew</a> • <a href="/strongs.htm">Strong's Numbers</a> • <a href="/englishmans_greek.htm">Englishman's Greek Concordance</a> • <a href="/englishmans_hebrew.htm">Englishman's Hebrew Concordance</a> • <a href="/texts/matthew/1-1.htm">Parallel Texts</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><div class="vheading">Englishman's Concordance</div><b><a href="/text/mark/16-12.htm" title="Biblos Lexicon">Mark 16:12</a> <a href="/abbrev.htm" title="Noun - Dative Feminine Singular">N-DFS</a></b><br><a href="/interlinear/mark/16.htm" title="Greek">GRK:</a> <span class="greek3">ἐν ἑτέρᾳ <b>μορφῇ</b> πορευομένοις εἰς</span><br><a href="http://biblehub.com/nas/mark/16.htm" title="New American Standard Bible">NAS:</a> in a different <span class="itali">form</span> to two<br><a href="/kjvs/mark/16.htm" title="King James Bible with Strong's">KJV:</a> in another <span class="itali">form</span> unto two of<br><a href="/interlinear/mark/16-12.htm" title="Biblos Interlinear Bible">INT:</a> in another <span class="itali">form</span> going into<p><b><a href="/text/philippians/2-6.htm" title="Biblos Lexicon">Philippians 2:6</a> <a href="/abbrev.htm" title="Noun - Dative Feminine Singular">N-DFS</a></b><br><a href="/interlinear/philippians/2.htm" title="Greek">GRK:</a> <span class="greek3">ὃς ἐν <b>μορφῇ</b> θεοῦ ὑπάρχων</span><br><a href="http://biblehub.com/nas/philippians/2.htm" title="New American Standard Bible">NAS:</a> although He existed <span class="itali">in the form</span> of God,<br><a href="/kjvs/philippians/2.htm" title="King James Bible with Strong's">KJV:</a> being in <span class="itali">the form</span> of God, thought it<br><a href="/interlinear/philippians/2-6.htm" title="Biblos Interlinear Bible">INT:</a> who in <span class="itali">[the] form</span> of God subsisting<p><b><a href="/text/philippians/2-7.htm" title="Biblos Lexicon">Philippians 2:7</a> <a href="/abbrev.htm" title="Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular">N-AFS</a></b><br><a href="/interlinear/philippians/2.htm" title="Greek">GRK:</a> <span class="greek3">ἑαυτὸν ἐκένωσεν <b>μορφὴν</b> δούλου λαβών</span><br><a href="http://biblehub.com/nas/philippians/2.htm" title="New American Standard Bible">NAS:</a> taking <span class="itali">the form</span> of a bond-servant,<br><a href="/kjvs/philippians/2.htm" title="King James Bible with Strong's">KJV:</a> and took upon him <span class="itali">the form</span> of a servant,<br><a href="/interlinear/philippians/2-7.htm" title="Biblos Interlinear Bible">INT:</a> himself emptied <span class="itali">form</span> of a servant having taken<p><b><a href="/greek/3444.htm">Strong's Greek 3444</a><br><a href="/greek/strongs_3444.htm">3 Occurrences</a></b><br><br><a href="/greek/morphe__3444.htm">μορφῇ — 2 Occ.</a><br><a href="/greek/morphe_n_3444.htm">μορφὴν — 1 Occ.</a><br><br></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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