κακοήθεια (G2550) — Greek Lexicon

κακοήθεια

kakoḗtheia

G2550 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Malice, wickedness of disposition, a settled inclination to do harm; denotes a persistent evil character or a deep-seated intent toward wrongdoing. In broader contexts, refers to baseness of moral character, habitual tendency toward malicious or vicious actions, especially towards others. May also indicate a quality of malignant intent or spitefulness within a person.

Semantic Range

malignity, malicious disposition, deep-seated wickedness, persistent evil intent, base character, malice, viciousness, spitefulness

Root / Etymology

From κακός ('bad, evil') and ἦθος ('character, disposition'). The compound expresses the idea of 'bad or evil character/disposition.' No evidence of derivation from another language.

Historical & Contextual Notes

First attested in late classical and Hellenistic Greek, appearing in both philosophical and general literature. In Koine Greek, especially in moral or vice/virtue lists (e.g., New Testament, philosophical discourse), describes an enduring quality of character that inclines a person toward acting with malice or wicked intent. Distinct from ἀδικία ('injustice') or κακία ('general evil, depravity'), as κακοήθεια emphasizes an internal state—a settled malignity—rather than specific actions. Standard English translations such as 'malignity,' 'maliciousness,' or 'malice' only approximate the Greek term, which carries stronger connotations of fixed bad character rather than isolated acts. In rhetorical and philosophical discourse, often contrasted with ἐπιεικεία ('fairness, reasonableness'). In the New Testament and moral philosophy, grouped with other vices as qualities to be avoided by communities and individuals.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a compound of κακός and ἦθος; bad character, i.e. (specially) mischievousness:--malignity.

Root Family

κακοήθεια (kakoētheia) — bad character, evil inclination, malice

Root κακοηθ- bad character, evil inclination, malice

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G2550-01`	κακοηθείας	kakoetheias	`N GEN F SG`	malice	of malicious disposition	maliciousness	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G2550-01`	Romans 1:29	κακοηθείας	kakoetheias	`N GEN F SG`	malice	of malicious disposition	maliciousness

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