← G254 G256 →

ἀλυσιτελής

alysitelḗs

G255 predicate adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Unprofitable, not beneficial, without advantage; describes something that does not bring benefit or gain, and can also imply being harmful or detrimental, especially in moral or practical contexts. The primary sense is 'of no advantage' or 'yielding no gain,' with an extended sense of 'counterproductive' or 'pernicious' depending on the context.

Semantic Range

unprofitable, useless, not beneficial, disadvantageous, without advantage, counterproductive, pernicious

Root / Etymology

Composed of ἀ- (alpha privative, denoting negation) and a stem related to λυσιτελέω ('to be advantageous, useful'). Thus, it literally means 'not advantageous' or 'not profitable.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term is rare in extant Greek literature, appearing in Hellenistic and Koine sources with the primary sense of 'unprofitable' or 'useless.' In the New Testament (e.g., Hebrews 13:17), it refers to actions or attitudes that yield no spiritual or communal benefit. The nuance can shade into 'harmful' or 'deleterious' where the context suggests a negative consequence, but the core emphasis is on the absence of positive return or value. The term is distinct from χρήσιμος ('useful') and ὠφέλιμος ('beneficial'), serving as their antonym. While often rendered 'unprofitable' or 'useless' in English Bible translations, in some contexts it may better be understood as 'counterproductive' or 'detrimental.'

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from Α (as a negative particle) and the base of λυσιτελεῖ; gainless, i.e. (by implication) pernicious:--unprofitable.

Root Family

ἀλυσιτελής (alusitelēs) — unprofitable, not beneficial, without advantage, disadvantageous

Root λυσιτελ- to be profitable, to be beneficial, to yield advantage

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G255-01 ἀλυσιτελὲς alusiteles ADJ.P NOM N SG unprofitable not advantageous not advantageous 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G255-01 Hebrews 13:17 ἀλυσιτελὲς alusiteles ADJ.P NOM N SG unprofitable not advantageous not advantageous
← G254 Greek Lexicon G256 →