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δίκαιος

díkaios

G1342 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Upright, in accordance with justice or what is right; conforms to an accepted standard of fairness or moral correctness. In broader contexts, describes someone who fulfills obligations to others, is law-abiding, or acts in a manner considered proper or equitable. In some contexts, can mean 'innocent' or 'blameless' in regard to specific charges or conduct, and occasionally 'proper' or 'fitting.'

Semantic Range

just, upright, righteous, blameless, innocent, observing laws or obligations, fair, proper, fitting

Root / Etymology

From the root δίκη (díkē), meaning 'custom, right, justice.' Forms the adjective with the suffix -αιος, indicating possession of the quality implied by the root.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, δίκαιος referred primarily to someone who behaves justly, observes laws, or acts according to social and ethical expectations. In legal contexts, contrasted with ἄδικος ('unjust'). In Hellenistic and Koine usage, including the Septuagint and New Testament, the term broadened: it could denote ethical uprightness before humanity and/or the divine, or refer to those considered 'innocent' within judicial or moral evaluation. In the Septuagint, δίκαιος often renders Hebrew צַדִּיק (tsaddiq), denoting someone faithfully fulfilling covenant or social obligations. The term is sometimes translated as 'righteous' in English Bibles, but this can obscure its nuanced usage; δίκαιος can convey legal innocence, general uprightness, or fitness/appropriateness depending on context. The word is flexible and not exclusively a religious or covenantal term; it may describe civic integrity, fulfillment of duty, or conformity to standards of fairness. In the New Testament, it is attributed both to ordinary individuals and idealized or exemplary figures. The retained core idea is always alignment with an established measure of rightness—legal, ethical, or customary.

Translation Consistency

primary "righteous" 67 occurrences

díkaios typically carries the moral/ethical and legal sense rendered in English by “righteous” or “just.” “Righteous” best captures the common biblical usage (moral uprightness, innocence/blamelessness, observance of right conduct) and works naturally both as adjective and substantive (“the righteous”), while avoiding the ambiguity of the adverb/all-purpose word “just.” Using “righteous” gives a consistent, natural-sounding rendering across all forms.

Alternatives (12 occurrences):
"right" (6x) "just" (4x) "upright ones" (2x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from δίκη; equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively):--just, meet, right(-eous).

Root Family

δίκαιος (dikaios) — just, upright, in accordance with justice

Root δικ- just, upright, in accordance with justice
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1344 δικαιόω upright ones

Word Forms

12 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1342-09 δίκαιον dikaion ADJ.S ACC M SG righteous upright one righteous one 24
G1342-10 δίκαιος dikaios ADJ.P NOM M SG righteous just (masculine singular) righteous 20
G1342-07 δίκαιοι dikaioi ADJ.S NOM M PL righteous upright ones righteous ones 9
G1342-12 δικαίους dikaious ADJ.S ACC M PL righteous upright ones the righteous ones 6
G1342-11 δικαίου dikaiou ADJ.S GEN M SG of a righteous man of a just one of a righteous one 6
G1342-01 δικαία dikaia ADJ.P NOM F SG just upright it is righteous 4
G1342-02 δίκαιαι dikaiai ADJ.S NOM F PL righteous upright ones righteous 3
G1342-06 δικαίῳ dikaio ADJ.A DAT M SG righteous to the just one to the righteous one 2
G1342-03 δικαίαν dikaian ADJ.A ACC F SG righteous just just 2
G1342-05 δίκαιε dikaie ADJ.A VOC M SG righteous O just one O righteous one 1

Occurrences in Scripture

79 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1342-10 Matthew 1:19 δίκαιος dikaios ADJ.P NOM M SG righteous just (masculine singular) righteous
G1342-12 Matthew 5:45 δικαίους dikaious ADJ.S ACC M PL righteous upright ones the righteous ones
G1342-12 Matthew 9:13 δικαίους dikaious ADJ.S ACC M PL righteous upright ones the righteous ones
G1342-09 Matthew 10:41 δίκαιον dikaion ADJ.S ACC M SG a righteous man upright one righteous one
G1342-11 Matthew 10:41 δικαίου dikaiou ADJ.S GEN M SG of a righteous man of a just one of a righteous one
G1342-11 Matthew 10:41 δικαίου dikaiou-2 ADJ.S GEN M SG of a righteous man of a just one of a righteous one
G1342-07 Matthew 13:17 δίκαιοι dikaioi ADJ.S NOM M PL righteous upright ones righteous ones
G1342-07 Matthew 13:43 δίκαιοι dikaioi ADJ.S NOM M PL righteous upright ones righteous ones
G1342-09 Matthew 13:49 δικαίων dikaion ADJ.S GEN M PL righteous upright one righteous one
G1342-09 Matthew 20:4 δίκαιον dikaion ADJ.P NOM N SG right upright one right
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