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αἰτία

aitía

G156 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Primarily, 'cause' or 'reason'—the underlying basis for an event, action, or state; also 'motive' or 'grounds.' In legal or forensic contexts, denotes 'charge,' 'accusation,' or 'case' presented against someone. Can signify either the cause for praise or blame, and may extend to mean 'fault' or 'offense.'

Semantic Range

cause, reason, ground, motive, basis, accusation, charge, allegation, case (in legal/judicial contexts), fault, offense

Root / Etymology

From the root αἰτ- (‘to ask, to demand’), related to αἰτέω (“to ask, request”). The development runs from ‘that which is asked or inquired about’ to the idea of a ‘reason’ or ‘cause’ for something, and further to the legal reference of an 'accusation' or 'charge.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, αἰτία often expresses the philosophical concept of 'cause,' as in Aristotle’s four causes (e.g., material, formal, efficient, final). In legal and rhetorical contexts (from classical to Koine periods), commonly used for ‘charge brought against someone’ or ‘grounds for accusation or defense.’ In the Septuagint (LXX), αἰτία generally renders Hebrew terms for reason or guilt, highlighting fault or ground for indictment. In the New Testament, often employed in forensic or judicial contexts—referring to the charges laid against Jesus or the apostles, for example (e.g., John 19:4, Luke 23:4). English translations may obscure the breadth of the term by rendering it as 'accusation' or 'crime,' when the sense can be broader, encompassing any grounds or cause, not only a criminal charge.

Translation Consistency

primary "cause" 17 occurrences

αἰτία most often denotes a cause or reason; in the provided P2 renderings “cause” is the single most frequent choice (10 of 20). “Cause” naturally covers the primary senses (cause, reason, basis, motive) and can extend into legal contexts (e.g., cause/ground for action), making it the most natural, broadly applicable single-word render­ing for consistent use.

Alternatives (3 occurrences):
"charge" (3x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the same as αἰτέω; a cause (as if asked for), i.e. (logical) reason (motive, matter), (legal) crime (alleged or proved):--accusation, case, cause, crime, fault, (wh-)ere(-fore).

Root Family

αἰτ- (aitéō) — to ask, to request, to demand

Root αἰτ- to ask, to demand, cause, reason
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G154 αἰτέω to ask for
G155 αἴτημα a requested thing
G157 αἰτίαμα formal accusations
G158 αἴτιον
G159 αἴτιος causative factor

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G156-02 αἰτίαν aitian N ACC F SG reason a cause a cause 16
G156-01 αἰτία aitia N NOM F SG case cause cause 2
G156-03 αἰτίας aitias N GEN F SG charges of a cause charge 2

Occurrences in Scripture

20 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G156-02 Matthew 19:3 αἰτίαν aitian N ACC F SG reason a cause a cause
G156-01 Matthew 19:10 αἰτία aitia N NOM F SG case cause cause
G156-02 Matthew 27:37 αἰτίαν aitian N ACC F SG charge a cause charge
G156-03 Mark 15:26 αἰτίας aitias N GEN F SG charge of a cause charge
G156-02 Luke 8:47 αἰτίαν aitian N ACC F SG reason a cause a cause
G156-02 John 18:38 αἰτίαν aitian N ACC F SG fault a cause a cause
G156-02 John 19:4 αἰτίαν aitian N ACC F SG fault a cause a cause
G156-02 John 19:6 αἰτίαν aitian N ACC F SG fault a cause a cause
G156-01 Acts 10:21 αἰτία aitia N NOM F SG cause cause cause
G156-02 Acts 13:28 αἰτίαν aitian N ACC F SG cause a cause a cause
G156-02 Acts 22:24 αἰτίαν aitian N ACC F SG cause a cause a cause
G156-02 Acts 23:28 αἰτίαν aitian N ACC F SG cause a cause a cause
G156-02 Acts 25:18 αἰτίαν aitian N ACC F SG charge a cause a cause
G156-03 Acts 25:27 αἰτίας aitias N ACC F PL charges of a cause charge
G156-02 Acts 28:18 αἰτίαν aitian N ACC F SG cause a cause a cause
G156-02 Acts 28:20 αἰτίαν aitian N ACC F SG reason a cause a cause
G156-02 2 Timothy 1:6 αἰτίαν aitian N ACC F SG reason a cause a cause
G156-02 2 Timothy 1:12 αἰτίαν aitian N ACC F SG I also a cause a cause
G156-02 Titus 1:13 αἰτίαν aitian N ACC F SG reason a cause a cause
G156-02 Hebrews 2:11 αἰτίαν aitian N ACC F SG reason a cause a cause
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