ἐλαφρία
elaphría
G1644 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Lightness, particularly of manner or character; in extended sense, figurative levity, lack of seriousness or stability, especially in speech or behavior. In literary and non-literal contexts, denotes superficiality or lack of depth, unreliable or unsteady character.
Semantic Range
lightness (literal or physical), levity, frivolity, fickleness, lack of seriousness, unreliability, superficiality
Root / Etymology
From ἐλαφρός (elaphrós), meaning 'light' (in weight, not heavy). The suffix -ία (-ia) forms an abstract noun indicating the state or quality.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ἐλαφρία refers to literal lightness or slightness, but is primarily attested in later prose and philosophical writings where it takes on a figurative sense of levity or superficiality—particularly the propensity for thoughtless or unsteady behavior. In the New Testament (2 Corinthians 1:17), the term is used strictly in the figurative sense, disparaging a lack of seriousness or reliability in following through on intentions. Standard English translations render the word as 'lightness,' 'fickleness,' or 'levity,' but these may not fully capture the nuance of unreliability or unsteadiness of character inherent in the Greek. The term maintains a distinction from ἐλαφρότης (another abstract noun from the same root) which can carry connotations of ease or lightness more generally, not necessarily pejorative in tone. ἐλαφρία in Koine tends to have a negative moral evaluation, similar to the Latin levitas. There is little evidence of the term carrying positive connotations in the extant Greek corpus.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐλαφρός; levity (figuratively), i.e. fickleness:--lightness.
Root Family
ἐλαφρία (elaphria) — lightness, levity, insubstantiality, superficiality
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1644-01 |
ἐλαφρίᾳ | elaphria | N DAT F SG |
lightness | to lightness | lightness | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1644-01 |
2 Corinthians 1:17 | ἐλαφρίᾳ | elaphria | N DAT F SG |
lightness | to lightness | lightness |