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ἀκαθαρσία

akatharsía

G167 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

State or condition of being unclean or impure; refers to that which is not clean in accordance with social, ritual, or moral standards. Primarily denotes impurity—either physical (such as ceremonial or hygienic defilement) or, in wider usage, moral or ethical impurity (behavior, thoughts, or practices considered inappropriate, corrupt, or defiling). In some contexts, also signifies a disposition or quality that renders something unsuitable for religious or communal participation.

Semantic Range

impurity (physical or ritual), ceremonial uncleanness, moral impurity, ethical defilement, disposition of being unfit for sacred use

Root / Etymology

From ἀκαθαρτος (unclean, impure) with the abstract noun suffix -ία indicating 'the state or quality of being.' Immediate root: καθαρ- ('clean, pure') with the alpha-privative (α-) negating it, making 'not pure,' plus -σία for 'state of.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, the notion of ἀκαθαρσία is rare but generally refers to physical impurity, pollution, or dirtiness. In Hellenistic Jewish contexts (e.g., the Septuagint), it is often used as a translation for Hebrew טָמֵא (ṭāmēʾ, ritually unclean), associated with the ritual laws of purity and defilement (especially relating to food, bodily emissions, or contact with corpses). In the New Testament, ἀκαθαρσία develops a further moral connotation and is often paired with other terms for inappropriate or immoral behavior (e.g., πορνεία, 'sexual immorality'). For Paul and other early Christian writers, the term frequently denotes not just ritual impurity but actions, desires, or conditions considered incompatible with a holy way of life. In English Bible translation traditions, often rendered as 'uncleanness,' but this may obscure the term’s broader semantic range, which includes both ritual and ethical dimensions. The English word 'impurity' sometimes better captures the extended usage in moral contexts. The term is distinct from καθαρός ('pure,' 'clean') and its kindred ἁγιωσύνη ('holiness'), though there is overlap in moral or ritual discussions. The concept’s significance is context-dependent, ranging from tangible, physical contamination to figurative or ethical states construed as contrary to social or religious ideals of purity.

Translation Consistency

primary "impurity" 10 occurrences

ἀκαθαρσία primarily denotes being unclean or impure—ceremonially, physically, or morally. “Impurity” is the natural, commonly used English noun that captures the full semantic range and matches the majority of existing renderings, making it the best consistent base term for all forms of this Strong’s entry.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀκάθαρτος; impurity (the quality), physically or morally:--uncleanness.

Root Family

ἀκαθαρσία (akatharsia) — impurity, uncleanness, defilement, state of being unclean

Root καθαρ- to clean, to purify, to be pure

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G167-01 ἀκαθαρσίᾳ akatharsia N DAT F SG uncleanness to impurity impurity 5
G167-03 ἀκαθαρσίας akatharsias N GEN F SG uncleanness of impurity of impurity 3
G167-02 ἀκαθαρσίαν akatharsian N ACC F SG impurity impurity impurity 2

Occurrences in Scripture

10 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G167-03 Matthew 23:27 ἀκαθαρσίας akatharsias N GEN F SG uncleanness of impurity of impurity
G167-02 Romans 1:24 ἀκαθαρσίαν akatharsian N ACC F SG impurity impurity impurity
G167-01 Romans 6:19 ἀκαθαρσίᾳ akatharsia N DAT F SG uncleanness to impurity impurity
G167-01 2 Corinthians 12:21 ἀκαθαρσίᾳ akatharsia N DAT F SG uncleanness to impurity impurity
G167-01 Galatians 5:19 ἀκαθαρσία akatharsia N NOM F SG uncleanness to impurity impurity
G167-03 Ephesians 4:19 ἀκαθαρσίας akatharsias N GEN F SG impurity of impurity of impurity
G167-01 Ephesians 5:3 ἀκαθαρσία akatharsia N NOM F SG impurity to impurity impurity
G167-02 Colossians 3:5 ἀκαθαρσίαν akatharsian N ACC F SG impurity impurity impurity
G167-03 1 Thessalonians 2:3 ἀκαθαρσίας akatharsias N GEN F SG uncleanness of impurity of impurity
G167-01 1 Thessalonians 4:7 ἀκαθαρσίᾳ akatharsia N DAT F SG uncleanness to impurity impurity
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