ὄρεξις
órexis
G3715 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Longing, desire, appetite—primarily denotes an inner inclination or drive toward something, particularly a strong impulse or desire. In various contexts, it can refer to general appetite (physical or metaphorical), strong yearning, or (in some negative contexts) craving or lust. The emphasis is on the active impulse that moves someone toward the object of desire, not merely a passive wish.
Semantic Range
desire, appetite, longing, impulse, craving, aspiration, lust
Root / Etymology
Derived from ὀρέγομαι (to stretch out, reach, strive for), with the noun-forming suffix -σις denoting a process or state. It literally signifies the process or state of 'stretching out' for something.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ὄρεξις describes both neutral and positive aspects of desire—including appetite for food or aspiration for virtue (Plato, Aristotle). It stands in contrast with ἐπιθυμία, which also means desire or longing but often carries a more immediate, sensual (sometimes pejorative) connotation, while ὄρεξις could refer to nobler or more general striving. In Aristotelian philosophy, ὄρεξις denotes the faculty of will or appetitive movement in the soul (alongside θυμός and βούλησις). In Koine and Hellenistic contexts (including the LXX and New Testament, e.g., Romans 1:27), it often appears in a negative light, used for both physical desire and moral craving, but typically with an emphasis on strong, sometimes disordered, longing. English translations as 'lust' capture the pejorative nuance in certain biblical contexts but can obscure the broader sense of 'desire' or 'appetite.' The term is relatively rare in non-philosophical Greek, and its meaning should be assessed carefully according to context. In the Septuagint, it is less common than ἐπιθυμία for 'desire.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ὀρέγομαι; excitement of the mind, i.e. longing after:--lust.
Root Family
ὀρεξ- (órexis) — to stretch out for, to reach, to desire
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3715-01 |
ὀρέξει | orexei | N DAT F SG |
lust | to longing | desire | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3715-01 |
Romans 1:27 | ὀρέξει | orexei | N DAT F SG |
lust | to longing | desire |