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ἥττημα

hḗttēma

G2275 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Deficiency, loss, or shortcoming—primarily denoting a condition of being defeated, lacking, or at a disadvantage. The term refers either to an objective state of failure or defeat, or subjectively to a lack or inferior position. It can further denote a loss suffered (e.g., material, status), or a fault/shortcoming in the sense of a failure to attain a goal or standard.

Semantic Range

deficiency, loss, defeat, shortcoming, fault, failure, diminution, inferiority, reduction, setback

Root / Etymology

Derived from the verb ἡττάομαι (to be defeated, to be inferior), itself from the root ἡττ- (less, inferior, defeated). The suffix -ημα indicates a result or state, so ἥττημα is 'the state or result of being defeated or inferior.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

Found in late classical and Koine Greek, ἥττημα appears primarily in technical, rhetorical, and moral contexts to indicate a deficiency, inferiority, or loss, whether material or ethical. In the New Testament (Romans 11:12), it conveys the sense of 'diminishing' or 'loss' with reference to a group's setback or reduction, contrasting with πληρώμα (plenitude, fullness). The word does not inherently denote moral guilt, but can IR context refer broadly to a negative outcome, shortage, loss or failure. In translation traditions, it has often been rendered as 'fault,' 'failure,' or 'diminishing,' but these may not fully capture the breadth of possible meanings. Distinct from ἀσθένεια (weakness/disease) or ἄγνοια (ignorance), ἥττημα emphasizes objective or comparative disadvantage or defeat. Rare outside biblical or moralizing contexts, its nuance in the Septuagint aligns with loss or defeat resulting from divine or human action.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἡττάω; a deterioration, i.e. (objectively) failure or (subjectively) loss:--diminishing, fault.

Root Family

ἥττημα (hēttēma) — deficiency, defeat, inferiority, loss, shortcoming

Root ἡττ- to be less, to be defeated, to be inferior

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2275-01 ἥττημα ettema N NOM N SG a defeat defeat defeat 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2275-01 Romans 11:12 ἥττημα ettema N NOM N SG failure defeat defeat
G2275-01 1 Corinthians 6:7 ἥττημα ettema N NOM N SG a defeat defeat defeat
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