ἐμπαίκτης (G1703) — Greek Lexicon

ἐμπαίκτης

empaíktēs

G1703 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

One who mocks or ridicules; specifically, a person who derides or makes fun of others, often with a tone of contempt or scorn. In certain contexts, particularly among early Christian writings, it can refer to someone who scoffs at, or ridicules, matters considered sacred or serious, sometimes implying opposition to true teaching or belief. The primary and literal sense denotes a mocker, while an extended context-specific nuance may refer to one who dismisses or mocks religious instruction, occasionally by implication a false teacher, though this latter sense is contextual and not intrinsic to the term's primary meaning.

Semantic Range

mocker, scoffer, one who ridicules, one who treats something with contempt or scorn, (occasionally in context) one who mocks or dismisses sacred or eschatological beliefs

Root / Etymology

From the verb ἐμπαίζω (empaízō, 'to mock, ridicule, treat with derision') with the agentive suffix -της (-tēs), forming a noun meaning 'mocking person' or 'mocker.' The stem παιγ- carries the idea of play or jest, while the prefix ἐμ- ('in, at') intensifies the action of mocking or deriding directly.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Earliest attested in Hellenistic and Koine Greek; primarily occurs in post-classical literature and in the New Testament (notably 2 Peter 3:3, Jude 18) to describe those who scorn or dismiss claims about divine matters, often with reference to eschatological mockery. In Septuagint and non-biblical Koine literature, use is rare or unattested. The sense of 'false teacher' is interpretive and context-dependent, arising when the mockery specifically targets communal teachings or eschatological hope. English translations such as 'mocker' or 'scoffer' reflect the core denotation but sometimes over-specify the term when rendering as 'false teacher.' The word is distinct from λοιδορός (loidoros, 'reviler') or κλείδων (kleidōn, 'railer'), and specific to mocking or scorn in speech or attitude, often relating to unbelief or dismissiveness toward respected beliefs, not always to active, false doctrinal teaching.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐμπαίζω; a derider, i.e. (by implication) a false teacher:--mocker, scoffer.

Root Family

ἐμπαίκτης (empaiktēs) — mocker, ridiculer, scoffer, one who derides with contempt

Root παιγ- to mock, to ridicule, to playfully deride

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G1703-01`	ἐμπαῖκται	empaiktai	`N NOM M PL`	mockers	mockers	mockers	2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G1703-01`	2 Peter 3:3	ἐμπαῖκται	empaiktai	`N NOM M PL`	scoffers	mockers	mockers
`G1703-01`	Jude 1:18	ἐμπαῖκται	empaiktai	`N NOM M PL`	mockers	mockers	mockers

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