ἀκλινής
aklinḗs
G186 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Not leaning or slanting; in transferred or figurative sense, steady, unwavering, or firm. Primarily describes lack of physical deviation or inclination, and by extension, applies to moral, intellectual, or emotional steadfastness.
Semantic Range
not leaning, not slanting, upright; steadfast, unwavering, unswerving, resolute
Root / Etymology
Composed of the privative prefix ἀ- (not, un-) and the verb κλίνω (to lean, incline, bend), thus meaning 'not-leaning' or 'not-inclined'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term ἀκλινής is rare in Greek literature and appears only a few times in Hellenistic and later Koine sources, with a notable occurrence in the New Testament at Hebrews 10:23 ('let us hold fast...without wavering'). Its primary classical sense is strictly physical—'not slanting, upright', but in later literature and especially in Jewish-Greek and Christian contexts, it is applied metaphorically: to be unwavering in commitment, confession, faith, or loyalty. The English translation 'without wavering' or 'unswerving' partially captures the figurative extension but loses the underlying physical imagery of stability or uprightness inherent in the Greek. ἀκλινής is distinct from ἀμετακίνητος (unmovable, steadfast), which emphasizes being unmoved or unshaken, while ἀκλινής stresses not leaning or deviating at all, especially from a course or conviction.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from Α (as a negative particle) and κλίνω; not leaning, i.e. (figuratively) firm:--without wavering.
Root Family
ἀκλινής (aklinēs) — not leaning, not inclining, steadfast, unwavering
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G186-01 |
ἀκλινῆ | akline | ADJ.S ACC F SG |
without wavering | unwavering | unwavering | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G186-01 |
Hebrews 10:23 | ἀκλινῆ | akline | ADJ.S ACC F SG |
without wavering | unwavering | unwavering |