κενός (G2756) — Greek Lexicon

κενός

kenós

G2756 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Having nothing inside, containing no material or substance; by extension, lacking in value, worth, or effect. Primary sense refers to physical emptiness or void, with figurative usage signifying something pointless, futile, or lacking effectiveness. In language, it can also denote something insincere, deceptive, or without real basis.

Semantic Range

empty (of physical space or container), void, lacking content or substance, futile, lacking result or effect, in vain, worthless, lacking basis or sincerity

Root / Etymology

Primary Greek adjective; not clearly derived from any other attested root, but possibly related to Proto-Indo-European *k̑en- meaning 'to empty'. Etymology uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Κενός appears in classical Greek literature (e.g. Homer, Herodotus) to denote literal emptiness or something devoid of content. In philosophical, rhetorical, and later Hellenistic usage—including the Septuagint and New Testament—it often takes on a figurative sense: an action or word that is 'empty' (i.e. without power, real substance, or purpose), or a promise that is hollow. The term contrasts with πλήρης (full, complete) and the related κενόω (to make empty, to empty out). New Testament usage includes both literal (e.g., empty container) and metaphorical (e.g., 'empty words' meaning insincere or untruthful communication, or 'in vain' referring to fruitless or purposeless effort). The standard English translation 'empty' captures the primary sense, but the figurative realm—including 'in vain', 'futile', or 'powerless'—is important to understanding its use in Koine Greek contexts. The semantic range does not automatically imply moral deficiency but emphasizes lack, absence, or ineffectiveness, both in material and immaterial domains.

Translation Consistency

primary "empty" 14 occurrences

Kenós primarily denotes lack of contents or substance — physical emptiness and by extension futility or worthlessness. “Empty” is the most frequent and natural English equivalent, covers both literal and figurative senses (and can be used adjectivally or substantively), and is preferable to narrower options like “vain” or “void.”

Alternatives (4 occurrences):

"emptiness" (3x) "vain things" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

apparently a primary word; empty (literally or figuratively):--empty, (in) vain.

Root Family

κεν- (kenós) — to be empty, to lack content

Root κεν- to be empty, to lack content

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
G2758	κενόω	he emptied
G2761	κενῶς	to no purpose

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G2756-05`	κενόν	kenon	`ADJ.S ACC M SG`	vain	empty one	empty one	9
`G2756-02`	κενὴ	kene	`ADJ.P NOM F SG`	vain	empty	empty	4
`G2756-01`	κενά	kena	`ADJ.S ACC N PL`	vain things	empty things	vain things	1
`G2756-03`	κενῆς	kenes	`ADJ.A GEN F SG`	empty	of empty	of empty	1
`G2756-04`	κενοῖς	kenois	`ADJ.A DAT M PL`	empty	to empty ones	by empty	1
`G2756-06`	κενὸς	kenos	`ADJ.P NOM M SG`	in vain	empty	empty	1
`G2756-07`	κενούς	kenous	`ADJ.S ACC M PL`	empty	empty ones	empty	1

Occurrences in Scripture

18 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G2756-05`	Mark 12:3	κενόν	kenon	`ADJ.S ACC M SG`	away empty	empty one	away empty
`G2756-07`	Luke 1:53	κενούς	kenous	`ADJ.S ACC M PL`	empty	empty ones	empty
`G2756-05`	Luke 20:10	κενόν	kenon	`ADJ.S ACC M SG`	empty	empty one	empty
`G2756-05`	Luke 20:11	κενόν	kenon	`ADJ.S ACC M SG`	empty	empty one	empty
`G2756-01`	Acts 4:25	κενά	kena	`ADJ.S ACC N PL`	vain things	empty things	vain things
`G2756-02`	1 Corinthians 15:10	κενὴ	kene	`ADJ.P NOM F SG`	in vain	empty	empty
`G2756-05`	1 Corinthians 15:14	κενὸν	kenon	`ADJ.P NOM N SG`	vain	empty one	empty one
`G2756-02`	1 Corinthians 15:14	κενὴ	kene	`ADJ.P NOM F SG`	vain	empty	empty
`G2756-06`	1 Corinthians 15:58	κενὸς	kenos	`ADJ.P NOM M SG`	in vain	empty	empty
`G2756-05`	2 Corinthians 6:1	κενὸν	kenon	`ADJ.S ACC N SG`	in vain	empty one	emptiness
`G2756-05`	Galatians 2:2	κενὸν	kenon	`ADJ.S ACC N SG`	vain	empty one	empty one
`G2756-04`	Ephesians 5:6	κενοῖς	kenois	`ADJ.A DAT M PL`	empty	to empty ones	by empty
`G2756-05`	Philippians 2:16	κενὸν	kenon	`ADJ.S ACC N SG`	vain	empty one	emptiness
`G2756-05`	Philippians 2:16	κενὸν	kenon-2	`ADJ.S ACC N SG`	vain	empty one	emptiness
`G2756-03`	Colossians 2:8	κενῆς	kenes	`ADJ.A GEN F SG`	empty	of empty	of empty
`G2756-02`	1 Thessalonians 2:1	κενὴ	kene	`ADJ.P NOM F SG`	vain	empty	empty
`G2756-05`	1 Thessalonians 3:5	κενὸν	kenon	`ADJ.S ACC N SG`	vain	empty one	empty one
`G2756-02`	James 2:20	κενέ	kene	`ADJ.A VOC M SG`	vain	empty	empty

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