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δόκιμος

dókimos

G1384 predicate adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Having been tested and found genuine or worthy, especially after evaluation or trial. In various contexts, denotes that which has demonstrated reliability or quality through examination, whether referring to people as tested and trustworthy, or to things (such as coins) as authentic and not counterfeit. Its primary sense is 'approved as genuine after testing.'

Semantic Range

approved after testing, proven genuine, reliable, trustworthy, worthy, (of coins) authentic / not counterfeit, accepted, tested and found fit

Root / Etymology

From the verb δοκέω ('to think, to seem'), via the related concept of examination and judgment. δόκιμος thus reflects the outcome of a process of assessment, with semantic development in Hellenistic and Koine Greek toward the meaning 'proven genuine after testing.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

First attested in classical Greek, where δόκιμος often referred to something deemed fit or worthy after public scrutiny, such as a citizen eligible for office (through public vetting). In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, particularly in the Septuagint and New Testament, it retains the core meaning of 'approved' or 'tested and found worthy.' In New Testament usage, commonly applied to people whose character or faithfulness has been assayed; also occasionally to things or statements shown to be true or authentic. In Greco-Roman contexts, the term is used for tested metal, especially coins, emphasizing genuineness over mere appearance. Standard English translations (e.g., 'approved,' 'genuine,' 'worthy') capture the main sense but may underplay the root idea of going through a process of testing or evaluation.

Translation Consistency

primary "approved" 5 occurrences

δόκιμος primarily describes something or someone found genuine or worthy after testing. "Approved" is the most natural, widely usable single-word rendering for people and things (including coins) that have been tested and accepted. It preserves the sense of having been tested and accepted as genuine, is idiomatic in English, and covers the typical usages better than rarer senses.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):
"proven genuine ones" (2x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from δοκέω; properly, acceptable (current after assayal), i.e. approved:--approved, tried.

Root Family

δοκ- (dógma) — to think, to suppose, to seem, to decree

Root δοκ- to seem, to think, to approve after testing
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1378 δόγμα authoritative decree
G1380 δοκέω may seem
G1385 δοκός a supporting beam
G2107 εὐδοκία goodwill
G4328 προσδοκάω awaits expectantly

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1384-03 δόκιμος dokimos ADJ.P NOM M SG approved proven genuine is approved 3
G1384-01 δόκιμοι dokimoi ADJ.S NOM M PL approved proven genuine ones proven genuine ones 2
G1384-02 δόκιμον dokimon ADJ.R ACC M SG approved proven genuine (accusative masculine singular) approved (accusative masculine singular) 2

Occurrences in Scripture

7 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1384-03 Romans 14:18 δόκιμος dokimos ADJ.P NOM M SG approved proven genuine is approved
G1384-02 Romans 16:10 δόκιμον dokimon ADJ.R ACC M SG approved proven genuine (accusative masculine singular) approved (accusative masculine singular)
G1384-01 1 Corinthians 11:19 δόκιμοι dokimoi ADJ.S NOM M PL approved proven genuine ones proven genuine ones
G1384-03 2 Corinthians 10:18 δόκιμος dokimos ADJ.P NOM M SG approved proven genuine is approved
G1384-01 2 Corinthians 13:7 δόκιμοι dokimoi ADJ.P NOM M PL approved proven genuine ones proven genuine ones
G1384-02 2 Timothy 2:15 δόκιμον dokimon ADJ.S ACC M SG approved proven genuine (accusative masculine singular) approved (accusative masculine singular)
G1384-03 James 1:12 δόκιμος dokimos ADJ.P NOM M SG approved proven genuine is approved
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