μάταιος (G3152) — Greek Lexicon

μάταιος

mátaios

G3152 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Devoid of result, effect, or value; producing no useful outcome. μάταιος primarily describes something as empty, futile, ineffective, or useless. It may also denote what is idle, purposeless, or incapable of achieving its aim. In certain contexts, especially within the Septuagint, it is used to characterize false claims or objects of false worship, thus extending to 'worthless' or 'deceptive.' The term can refer both to actions and to qualities or states lacking substance or utility.

Semantic Range

futile, useless, ineffective, unproductive, worthless, purposeless, vain, empty (of result), idle, deceptive (of false religion or empty claims)

Root / Etymology

From the base of μάτην (in vain, to no purpose), ultimately related to the root ματ- indicating emptiness or futility. Cognate with classical Greek ματαιότης (vanity, futility).

Historical & Contextual Notes

μάταιος is attested in classical Greek literature, where it typically connotes what is futile or empty of result, such as fruitless efforts or vain speech. In the Septuagint, μάταιος is especially used in renderings of Hebrew words like הֶבֶל (hebel, vanity, vapor) and often in polemic against idolatry, where μάταιος objects are 'worthless' or fake (see Isa 44:9, Jer 2:5 LXX). In the New Testament, the word is rare but maintains the sense of empty or futile (Titus 3:9 of senseless disputes; James 1:26 of worthless religion; Acts 14:15 of 'vain things'—idols or false gods). English translations often render μάταιος as 'vain,' 'worthless,' or 'futile,' but these may obscure nuances of practical ineffectiveness or deceptive emptiness. μάταιος contrasts with ἀληθινός (true, real) and χρήσιμος (useful). The semantic field intersects with κενός (empty, void), but κενός often emphasizes physical or literal emptiness, whereas μάταιος emphasizes futility, ineffectiveness, or lack of real substance.

Translation Consistency

primary "futile" 6 occurrences

Matches the primary SILEX sense—devoid of result or effect—and is the most common rendering in the P2 data. 'Futile' naturally covers actions, states, and substantive uses (empty, useless, ineffective) without the ambiguity of 'vain' (which can mean proud). It therefore provides a clear, consistent English head-word for all forms of μάταιος.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the base of μάτην; empty, i.e. (literally) profitless, or (specially), an idol:--vain, vanity.

Root Family

μάταιος (mataios) — empty, futile, lacking effect, useless

Root ματ- to be empty, to be futile, to lack effect

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G3152-03`	μάταιοι	mataioi	`ADJ.P NOM M PL`	vain	futile ones	futile ones	2
`G3152-01`	ματαία	mataia	`ADJ.P NOM F SG`	vain	futile	futile	1
`G3152-02`	ματαίας	mataias	`ADJ.S GEN F SG`	futile	of futility	futile	1
`G3152-04`	ματαίων	mataion	`ADJ.S GEN N PL`	vanities	of futile things	of futile things	1
`G3152-05`	μάταιος	mataios	`ADJ.P NOM F SG`	vain	futile	futile	1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G3152-04`	Acts 14:15	ματαίων	mataion	`ADJ.S GEN N PL`	vanities	of futile things	of futile things
`G3152-03`	1 Corinthians 3:20	μάταιοι	mataioi	`ADJ.P NOM M PL`	vain	futile ones	futile ones
`G3152-01`	1 Corinthians 15:17	ματαία	mataia	`ADJ.P NOM F SG`	vain	futile	futile
`G3152-03`	Titus 3:9	μάταιοι	mataioi	`ADJ.S NOM F PL`	vain	futile ones	futile ones
`G3152-05`	James 1:26	μάταιος	mataios	`ADJ.P NOM F SG`	vain	futile	futile
`G3152-02`	1 Peter 1:18	ματαίας	mataias	`ADJ.S GEN F SG`	futile	of futility	futile

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