← G2569 G2571 →

καλός

kalós

G2570 attributive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Primarily, καλός means beautiful, pleasing to the senses, or admirable in form or appearance. By extension (especially in moral, social, or pragmatic contexts), it describes what is commendable, noble, morally good, or fitting—something considered attractive or praiseworthy in character or function. It is often used to characterize people, objects, deeds, laws, or situations as desirable, proper, or worth emulating.

Semantic Range

beautiful (of appearance), attractive, pleasing, fine (of quality), noble (of character or conduct), commendable, morally good, worthy, proper, fitting, honest, valuable

Root / Etymology

Root: καλ-; The word καλός is related to the root καλ-, which conveys ideas of beauty or desirability. The precise Indo-European etymology is debated but likely relates to the same root that yields the Latin 'calere' (to be warm, glow), indicating allure or attractiveness. The development into a term for moral goodness reflects a strong Greek association between appearance and virtue.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, καλός primarily connotes aesthetic beauty but also denotes what is admirable or praiseworthy, including character and ethical conduct—especially within the ideal of 'καλὸς κἀγαθός' ('beautiful and good'). In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the New Testament and Septuagint, καλός shifts toward denoting that which is morally or socially commendable, proper, or fitting—though physical beauty or quality is still possible. It is used for good works (καλὰ ἔργα), noble actions, desirable marital arrangements, proper speech, and quality objects. Distinction from ἀγαθός: While ἀγαθός refers to intrinsic or inherent goodness or benefits (often moral or ethical), καλός emphasizes the visible, commendable, or fitting qualities, whether outward or inner. English translations ("good," "noble," "worthy," "beautiful") vary by context and may not always capture the nuance of social and aesthetic approval embedded in καλός.

Translation Consistency

primary "good" 93 occurrences

"Good" is the most natural, broadly applicable English adjective covering the full semantic range of καλός (beautiful, noble, fitting, commendable). It matches the overwhelming majority of existing renderings (74/101) and reads naturally in both moral and aesthetic contexts, ensuring consistent, idiomatic translation across all forms; rarer senses (e.g., specifically "beautiful" or "noble") can be handled by context-sensitive phrasing where needed.

Alternatives (8 occurrences):
"better" (6x) "fair" (1x) "admirable ones" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain affinity; properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e. valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished from ἀγαθός, which is properly intrinsic):--X better, fair, good(-ly), honest, meet, well, worthy.

Root Family

καλός (kalos) — beautiful, admirable, praiseworthy

Root καλ- beautiful, admirable, praiseworthy
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G2564 καλέω admirable

Word Forms

11 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2570-08 καλὸν kalon ADJ.A ACC M SG good beautiful good 60
G2570-03 καλὴν kalen ADJ.R ACC F SG good beautiful good 11
G2570-09 καλός kalos ADJ.R NOM M SG good rightly good 7
G2570-01 καλὰ kala ADJ.A ACC N PL good beautiful things good things 7
G2570-11 καλοὺς kalous ADJ.A ACC M PL good beautiful ones good ones 4
G2570-07 καλοῖς kalois ADJ.A DAT M PL good to admirable ones to good ones 3
G2570-10 καλοῦ kalou ADJ.A GEN N SG good of the beautiful of the good 3
G2570-04 καλῆς kales ADJ.A GEN F SG good of a beautiful good 2
G2570-02 καλῇ kale ADJ.A DAT F SG good to/for a beautiful one good 2
G2570-05 καλῷ kalo ADJ.S DAT N SG good to the admirable thing what is good 1

Occurrences in Scripture

101 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2570-08 Matthew 3:10 καλὸν kalon ADJ.A ACC M SG good beautiful good
G2570-01 Matthew 5:16 καλὰ kala ADJ.A ACC N PL good beautiful things good things
G2570-11 Matthew 7:17 καλοὺς kalous ADJ.A ACC M PL good beautiful ones good ones
G2570-11 Matthew 7:18 καλοὺς kalous ADJ.A ACC M PL good beautiful ones good ones
G2570-08 Matthew 7:19 καλὸν kalon ADJ.A ACC M SG good beautiful good
G2570-08 Matthew 12:33 καλὸν kalon ADJ.P ACC N SG good beautiful good
G2570-08 Matthew 12:33 καλόν kalon-2 ADJ.S ACC M SG good beautiful good
G2570-03 Matthew 13:8 καλὴν kalen ADJ.R ACC F SG good beautiful good
G2570-03 Matthew 13:23 καλὴν kalen ADJ.A ACC F SG good beautiful good
G2570-08 Matthew 13:24 καλὸν kalon ADJ.A ACC N SG good beautiful good
← G2569 Greek Lexicon G2571 →