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δικαιοσύνη

dikaiosýnē

G1343 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

State or quality of being just, uprightness, or conformity to a standard of what is right; in a legal, ethical, or social sense, it refers to conduct that accords with justice or established norms. In various contexts, it can denote judicial fairness, ethical rectitude, the fulfillment of obligations (particularly to deity or society), or, in philosophical and Hellenistic writings, the overarching virtue of justice. In certain texts, especially within the Septuagint and New Testament, it can also refer to the status of being recognized or declared as righteous before a deity or according to law.

Semantic Range

justice, uprightness, righteousness, fairness, fulfilling obligations to deity or society, judicial status as 'righteous', quality of being deemed just, observance of what is right, justification in a legal or religious sense

Root / Etymology

From δίκαιος (dikaios, 'righteous, just'), ultimately from δίκη (dikē, 'justice, right, custom'). The suffix -σύνη (-synē) denotes abstract quality or state.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, δικαιοσύνη primarily refers to 'justice' as one of the cardinal virtues, a principle governing relationships in society (Plato, Aristotle). In the LXX, the word is the standard rendering of the Hebrew צְדָקָה (tsedaqah), conveying not only legal uprightness but also covenantal loyalty, social justice, and charity. In the broader Hellenistic period and in the New Testament, δικαιοσύνη retains these dimensions, yet is employed in diverse ways: as ethical virtue, as covenant fidelity, or as the status accorded by a deity or law (for example, being declared 'right' or 'justified'). English translations often render δικαιοσύνη as 'righteousness,' 'justice,' or occasionally 'justification'—terms that only partially capture the breadth of the Greek term, which can imply both personal uprightness and judicial status. Notably, the Pauline writings use the term densely, at times reflecting the Septuagintal sense of covenant faithfulness and at other times the Greek ethical concept. Related terms include δικαιόω (to justify), δικαίωμα (regulation, righteous act), and the root concept δίκη (justice, right). Distinct from terms like ἁγιότης (holiness) or ἀρετή (virtue) in its primary association with justice and rightness.

Translation Consistency

primary "righteousness" 92 occurrences

Covers the primary range of δικαιοσύνη in both ethical and judicial senses used in the LXX and NT, and is the most natural, widely recognized English term (better than the more archaic 'uprightness' or the narrower 'justice'). Using 'righteousness' yields consistent, idiomatic renderings across contexts.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from δίκαιος; equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification:--righteousness.

Root Family

δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosynē) — justice, uprightness, righteousness, conformity to what is right

Root δικαι- to be just, to conform to justice, to be upright

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1343-02 δικαιοσύνην dikaiosunen N ACC F SG righteousness uprightness righteousness 37
G1343-03 δικαιοσύνης dikaiosunes N GEN F SG righteousness of uprightness of righteousness 29
G1343-01 δικαιοσύνη dikaiosune N NOM F SG righteousness uprightness righteousness 26

Occurrences in Scripture

92 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1343-02 Matthew 3:15 δικαιοσύνην dikaiosunen N ACC F SG righteousness uprightness righteousness
G1343-02 Matthew 5:6 δικαιοσύνην dikaiosunen N ACC F SG righteousness uprightness righteousness
G1343-03 Matthew 5:10 δικαιοσύνης dikaiosunes N GEN F SG righteousness of uprightness of righteousness
G1343-01 Matthew 5:20 δικαιοσύνη dikaiosune N NOM F SG righteousness uprightness righteousness
G1343-02 Matthew 6:1 δικαιοσύνην dikaiosunen N ACC F SG righteousness uprightness righteousness
G1343-02 Matthew 6:33 δικαιοσύνην dikaiosunen N ACC F SG righteousness uprightness righteousness
G1343-03 Matthew 21:32 δικαιοσύνης dikaiosunes N GEN F SG of righteousness of uprightness of righteousness
G1343-01 Luke 1:75 δικαιοσύνῃ dikaiosune N DAT F SG righteousness uprightness righteousness
G1343-03 John 16:8 δικαιοσύνης dikaiosunes N GEN F SG righteousness of uprightness of righteousness
G1343-03 John 16:10 δικαιοσύνης dikaiosunes N GEN F SG righteousness of uprightness of righteousness
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