ἔγκλημα
énklēma
G1462 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Formally stated accusation or charge leveled against someone, specifically in a legal or judicial context. Also used to denote a formal complaint brought before authorities, often implying a serious allegation such as an offense or wrongdoing.
Semantic Range
formal accusation, legal charge, judicial complaint, offense alleged, pleaded charge
Root / Etymology
From the verb ἐγκαλέω (to accuse, to charge), combining ἐν- ('in, upon') and καλέω ('to call'). Hence, 'calling in' or 'bringing a charge.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἔγκλημα is primarily a juridical term in Koine and classical Greek, referring to formal accusations in courts or before authorities. The earliest uses (Classical period, e.g. Demosthenes, Lysias) focus strictly on legal accusations—public or private. In the Hellenistic and Roman periods, including the Septuagint and New Testament, it retains this technical sense as a formal or pleaded charge rather than a vague allegation. The word does not connote the guilt of the accused, but only the legal act of charging. English translations as 'crime', 'accusation', or 'charge' capture aspects of the term, but 'crime' may suggest guilt, whereas ἔγκλημα is neutral as to the truth of the allegation. ἔγκλημα contrasts with λοιδορία (slander, abuse) in that it emphasizes formal judicial process over informal insult. In the New Testament, the word is rare, reflecting its technical-legal register.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐγκαλέω; an accusation, i.e. offence alleged:--crime laid against, laid to charge.
Root Family
ἔγκλημα (enklēma) — formal accusation, legal charge, judicial complaint, offense alleged
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1462-01 |
ἔγκλημα | egklema | N ACC N SG |
charge | formal charge | formal charge | 1 |
G1462-02 |
ἐνκλήματος | enklematos | N GEN N SG |
charge | of a formal charge | of a formal charge | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1462-01 |
Acts 23:29 | ἔγκλημα | egklema | N ACC N SG |
charge | formal charge | formal charge |
G1462-02 |
Acts 25:16 | ἐνκλήματος | enklematos | N GEN N SG |
charge | of a formal charge | of a formal charge |