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λῃστής

lēistḗs

G3027 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A person who engages in violent theft, specifically by attacking travelers or settlements, i.e. brigand, bandit. The term emphasizes organized or armed robbery, typically in groups or bands, often with threat or use of force. In some contexts, also refers to political insurgents or revolutionaries labeled as bandits by authorities.

Semantic Range

brigand, bandit, highwayman, armed robber, one who plunders by force, political insurgent labeled a bandit

Root / Etymology

From the verb ληΐζομαι (lēízomai), meaning 'to plunder' or 'to spoil.' The noun λῃστής arises in Koine from this root, indicating a person characterized by the act of plundering.

Historical & Contextual Notes

λῃστής appears frequently in Koine and later Greek to describe those who commit robbery through violence or openly, especially on roads or in unsettled areas. In the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the word acquired political nuance and could be used pejoratively by authorities to label rebels, insurgents, or those resisting state power as 'bandits' or 'brigands.' In the New Testament, λῃστής is distinguished from κλέπτης (kleptēs, 'thief'), which denoted one who steals covertly or by stealth, whereas λῃστής describes violent or forceful theft. The English translation 'robber' or 'bandit' captures the word's primary sense, though 'thief' is insufficient because it misses the overt, violent aspect. λῃστής is also used in descriptions of Jesus’ crucifixion between two such criminals (Matthew 27:38,44; Mark 15:27), and in John 18:40 for Barabbas, indicating an individual involved in insurrection and violence as much as theft. The term is attested from at least the 5th century BCE and is common in classical sources for highwaymen and pirates, continuing with similar but sometimes expanded nuance in the Septuagint and New Testament.

Translation Consistency

primary "bandit" 9 occurrences

‘Bandit’ is the most natural, modern English noun that captures the typical sense of λῃστής: an armed robber/highwayman who plunders by force. It covers organized or violent theft (brigandry) and can also carry the connotation of an insurgent labeled a criminal, while sounding ordinary and clear for consistent use across all forms.

Alternatives (6 occurrences):
"brigand" (5x) "brigands" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from (to plunder); a brigand:--robber, thief.

Root Family

λῃστής (lēistēs) — to plunder, to seize by force, violent robbery

Root ληι-/λῃστ- to plunder, to seize by force

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3027-06 λῃστῶν leston N GEN M PL of robbers of brigands of bandits 4
G3027-04 λῃστὴν lesten N ACC M SG a thief a brigand a brigand 3
G3027-01 λῃσταί lestai N NOM M PL robbers plundering bandits plundering bandits 3
G3027-03 λῃστάς lestas N ACC M PL robbers brigands bandits 2
G3027-05 λῃστής lestes N NOM M SG a robber brigand brigand 2
G3027-02 λῃσταῖς lestais N DAT M PL robbers to brigands to brigands 1

Occurrences in Scripture

15 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3027-06 Matthew 21:13 λῃστῶν leston N GEN M PL of-robbers of brigands of bandits
G3027-04 Matthew 26:55 λῃστὴν lesten N ACC M SG a robber a brigand a brigand
G3027-01 Matthew 27:38 λῃσταί lestai N NOM M PL robbers plundering bandits plundering bandits
G3027-01 Matthew 27:44 λῃσταὶ lestai N NOM M PL robbers plundering bandits plundering bandits
G3027-06 Mark 11:17 λῃστῶν leston N GEN M PL of robbers of brigands of bandits
G3027-04 Mark 14:48 λῃστὴν lesten N ACC M SG a thief a brigand a brigand
G3027-03 Mark 15:27 λῃστάς lestas N ACC M PL robbers brigands bandits
G3027-02 Luke 10:30 λῃσταῖς lestais N DAT M PL robbers to brigands to brigands
G3027-03 Luke 10:36 λῃστάς lestas N ACC M PL robbers brigands bandits
G3027-06 Luke 19:46 λῃστῶν leston N GEN M PL of thieves of brigands of bandits
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