← G2188 G2190 →

ἔχθρα

échthra

G2189 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Active hostility or state of being an enemy; a condition or attitude of enmity, opposition, or antagonism toward another. The term also encompasses personal animosity, hostile intent, or the status of being the object or subject of animosity in interpersonal or group relations. In extended contexts, it can indicate the ongoing, sometimes mutual, condition of enmity between individuals or groups.

Semantic Range

hostility, enmity, animosity, adversarial disposition; hostile relationship or state; reason for opposition; conflict between parties; personal hatred; collective or systemic antagonism

Root / Etymology

From the root ἐχθρ- (likelihood from ἐχθρός, meaning 'enemy, hostile'), signifying the attitude or state corresponding to that of an 'enemy.' Ultimately derived from Greek ἔχθω (an archaic verb meaning 'to hate'). Related to ἒχθιστος, superlative of hatred.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The word ἔχθρα is attested in classical Greek (e.g., Plato, Xenophon) for both personal and political enmity, typically denoting an active antagonistic stance or the enduring disposition that characterizes hostile relations. In the Septuagint, it commonly translates Hebrew words indicating animosity or adversarial relations between individuals or peoples. In the New Testament, ἔχθρα describes both interpersonal hatred (e.g., between individuals, Gal 5:20) and collective or spiritual enmities (e.g., between groups or as a metaphor for opposition to divine purposes, Eph 2:14–16). While English translations may render ἔχθρα as 'enmity' or 'hatred,' the term regularly denotes an ongoing hostile disposition, and is broader than the English word 'hate,' which often refers mainly to intense dislike. Unlike related terms such as μῖσος ('hate'), which emphasizes emotional hostility, ἔχθρα entails the relational or systemic state of opposition, enmity, or conflict. In both Hellenistic and Jewish-Greek texts, ἔχθρα can name the condition or rationale for division between groups, not merely personal dislike.

Translation Consistency

primary "hostility" 5 occurrences

“Hostility” is the most natural, broadly applicable English noun that captures the SILEX range (state or attitude of enmity, personal or collective antagonism). It is less archaic than “enmity,” fits both singular and collective senses (hostility/hostilities), and matches the typical usage of ἔχθρα in context.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"hostilities" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of ἐχθρός; hostility; by implication, a reason for opposition:--enmity, hatred.

Root Family

ἔχθρα (echthra) — hostility, enmity, animosity, antagonism

Root ἐχθρ- to be hostile, to be an enemy, to hate

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2189-01 ἔχθρᾳ echthra N DAT F SG enmity in hostility in hostility 3
G2189-03 ἔχθραν echthran N ACC F SG enmity hostility hostility 2
G2189-02 ἔχθραι echthrai N NOM F PL hatreds hostilities hostilities 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2189-01 Luke 23:12 ἔχθρᾳ echthra N DAT F SG enmity in hostility in hostility
G2189-01 Romans 8:7 ἔχθρα echthra N NOM F SG enmity in hostility in hostility
G2189-02 Galatians 5:20 ἔχθραι echthrai N NOM F PL hatreds hostilities hostilities
G2189-03 Ephesians 2:14 ἔχθραν echthran N ACC F SG hostility hostility hostility
G2189-03 Ephesians 2:16 ἔχθραν echthran N ACC F SG enmity hostility hostility
G2189-01 James 4:4 ἔχθρα echthra N NOM F SG enmity in hostility in hostility
← G2188 Greek Lexicon G2190 →