ἡδονή (G2237) — Greek Lexicon

ἡδονή

hēdonḗ

G2237 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Strong sense of physical or sensual pleasure, a feeling or experience of gratification or enjoyment, especially associated with bodily or sensual appetites. In various contexts, it may refer to delight, enjoyment, pleasurable feeling, or the pursuit of such gratification, sometimes with a negative nuance of excess or moral disapproval, such as sensual indulgence or unchecked desire.

Semantic Range

pleasure, sensual delight, enjoyment, gratification, pursuit of pleasure, lust, indulgence, desire for sensual satisfaction

Root / Etymology

From the root ἡδ- (hēd-) meaning 'pleasure, sweet', derived from the adjective ἡδύς (hēdys, 'pleasant, sweet'). Cognate with the verb ἥδομαι (hēdomai, 'to be pleased, to enjoy'). Related to the English term 'hedonism,' which is based on this word, though this philosophical term postdates New Testament usage.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ἡδονή is attested in Classical Greek (e.g., Plato, Aristotle) primarily in the general sense of pleasure or delight, especially sensory or bodily enjoyment. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek (including the Septuagint and the New Testament), it often carries a more specific nuance of sensual or indulgent pleasure—pleasure as an object or goal, frequently with a negative or cautionary tone regarding excess or moral risk. Philosophical schools (e.g., Epicureanism) used the term as a central ethical concept (the pursuit of pleasure as the highest good), but this philosophical baggage is not directly present in biblical texts. In the New Testament, ἡδονή typically appears in moralistic or vice lists, denoting unruly desires or sensual indulgence (e.g., Luke 8:14; Titus 3:3; James 4:1,3). English translations often render it as 'pleasure,' 'passion,' or 'lust,' but such renderings can mask the term's neutral or even positive sense in broader Greek usage. It contrasts with broader terms for desire such as ἐπιθυμία, which can mean any strong desire (not only for pleasure). In the LXX, ἡδονή is relatively rare and typically negative, paralleling Hebrew terms for delights that distract from devotion or Torah observance.

Translation Consistency

primary "pleasure" 5 occurrences

ἡδονή is most naturally and commonly rendered as “pleasure,” which covers physical/sensual enjoyment, gratification, and the pursuit of delight while allowing for neutral or negative nuance (e.g. sensual indulgence). “Pleasure” is a noun (unlike “sensual”) and thus fits the word’s typical usage.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from (to please); sensual delight; by implication, desire:--lust, pleasure.

Root Family

ἡδ- (hēdéōs) — to take pleasure, to find agreeable

Root ἡδ- to be pleased, to enjoy, to take pleasure

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
G2234	ἡδέως	with delight
G2236	ἥδιστα	most gladly
G4913	συνήδομαι	I take shared delight

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G2237-01`	ἡδοναῖς	edonais	`N DAT F PL`	pleasures	to sensual pleasures	to sensual pleasures	2
`G2237-03`	ἡδονῶν	edonon	`N GEN F PL`	lusts	of sensual pleasures	of pleasures	2
`G2237-02`	ἡδονὴν	edonen	`N ACC F SG`	pleasure	sensual pleasure	sensual pleasure	1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G2237-03`	Luke 8:14	ἡδονῶν	edonon	`N GEN F PL`	pleasures	of sensual pleasures	of pleasures
`G2237-01`	Titus 3:3	ἡδοναῖς	edonais	`N DAT F PL`	pleasures	to sensual pleasures	to sensual pleasures
`G2237-03`	James 4:1	ἡδονῶν	edonon	`N GEN F PL`	lusts	of sensual pleasures	of pleasures
`G2237-01`	James 4:3	ἡδοναῖς	edonais	`N DAT F PL`	pleasures	to sensual pleasures	to sensual pleasures
`G2237-02`	2 Peter 2:13	ἡδονὴν	edonen	`N ACC F SG`	pleasure	sensual pleasure	sensual pleasure

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