μίασμα (G3393) — Greek Lexicon

μίασμα

míasma

G3393 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

That which defiles or corrupts, especially a substance or influence causing defilement; in moral, religious, or ritual contexts, a source or product of pollution, stain, or impurity. In Hellenistic and Jewish contexts, used both of physical contamination (dirt, filth) and of moral or ritual defilement (sin, transgression, or ritual uncleanness).

Semantic Range

stain, pollution, contamination (physical or moral), ritual defilement, a state or result of impurity, source of defilement

Root / Etymology

From the verb μιαίνω (miaínō) meaning 'to stain, pollute, defile,' with the nominal derivational suffix -μα indicating the result or product of the verb's action.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, μίασμα primarily referred to physical stain, filth, or soiled matter, but came especially to denote the ritual pollution resulting from acts that rendered someone unclean, such as homicide or contact with a corpse. In tragedy and legal discourse, μίασμα is often the defiling presence or influence brought by such acts and was regarded as communicable, requiring purification (κάθαρσις). In Hellenistic and Jewish literature, including the Septuagint, μίασμα denotes ritual impurity or the state/effect of being defiled, whether through idolatry, unlawful acts, or contact with what is deemed unclean. In the New Testament, μίασμα is rare, but when used, denotes the result of defiling actions or influences. English translations as 'pollution,' 'impurity,' or 'defilement' capture aspects of the term but may not always communicate the idea of contagion or ritual consequence inherent in many ancient uses. μίασμα should be distinguished from related terms such as καθαρσις (purification) and ἀκαθαρσία (uncleanness), which have overlapping but distinct nuances.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from μιαίνω ("miasma"); (morally) foulness (properly, the effect):--pollution.

Root Family

μιασ- (míasma) — to defile, to stain, to pollute

Root μιασ- to defile, to stain, to pollute

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G3393-01`	μιάσματα	miasmata	`N ACC N PL`	pollutions	defilements	defilements	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G3393-01`	2 Peter 2:20	μιάσματα	miasmata	`N ACC N PL`	pollutions	defilements	defilements

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