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παλαιός

palaiós

G3820 attributive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

having existed for a long time, long-standing; in reference to objects or things, 'old' or 'ancient' as opposed to recent or new; in certain contexts, may designate something obsolete, worn out, or outmoded due to age. Contextual nuances may signal age in a purely temporal sense (long ago), or connote a negative value judgment (worn out, outdated) depending on usage.

Semantic Range

old (in reference to time), ancient, longstanding, not recent, out-of-date, obsolete, worn out, belonging to former times

Root / Etymology

Derived from the adverb πάλαι ('long ago,' 'formerly'), itself of ancient Indo-European origin. The suffix -ός is used to form adjectives from adverbs and nouns. Thus, παλαιός means 'of former times' or 'old.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, παλαιός appears frequently to indicate anything from ancient customs, cities, or objects, simply emphasizing their age as contrasted with what is new (καινός). In philosophical texts, it can refer to established ideas or traditions inherited from the past. In the Septuagint, it is commonly employed to translate Hebrew words denoting something old in duration or substance (e.g., יָשָׁן yashan). In the New Testament, παλαιός is often set in contrast with καινός ('new'), especially in theological or metaphorical frameworks: e.g., 'old garments' (Mt 9:16), 'old covenant' (2 Cor 3:14). While English translations render it uniformly as 'old,' the connotation may vary with context—either neutral (simply aged or ancient) or negative (worn out, needing replacement). Unlike ἀρχαῖος, which often implies ancient origin in a more exalted or historical sense, παλαιός tends to designate that which is old in contrast to something recent or renewed, focusing on temporal sequence or wear. In post-biblical and Koine usage, the word can acquire the sense 'obsolete.'

Translation Consistency

primary "old" 19 occurrences

palaiós most commonly and naturally translates as “old” (covering age, longstanding, ancient, worn-out, or out-of-date senses). “Old” is simple, idiomatic English and fits the typical usages in the SILEX range while allowing contextual nuance (ancient, longstanding, obsolete) in translation choices.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from πάλαι; antique, i.e. not recent, worn out:--old.

Root Family

παλαιός (palaios) — old, ancient, former, longstanding

Root παλαι- old, ancient, previous

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3820-05 παλαιόν palaion ADJ.A ACC N SG old old thing old thing 5
G3820-08 παλαιούς palaious ADJ.A ACC M PL old ancient ones old ones 3
G3820-01 παλαιά palaia ADJ.S ACC N PL old old things old 3
G3820-02 παλαιὰν palaian ADJ.A ACC F SG old old old 2
G3820-06 παλαιὸς palaios ADJ.S NOM M SG old old (masculine singular) old 2
G3820-04 παλαιῷ palaio ADJ.A DAT N SG old to the old old 2
G3820-03 παλαιᾶς palaias ADJ.A GEN F SG old of an ancient old 1
G3820-07 παλαιοῦ palaiou ADJ.S GEN N SG old of the ancient old 1

Occurrences in Scripture

19 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3820-04 Matthew 9:16 παλαιῷ palaio ADJ.A DAT N SG old to the old old
G3820-08 Matthew 9:17 παλαιούς palaious ADJ.A ACC M PL old ancient ones old ones
G3820-01 Matthew 13:52 παλαιά palaia ADJ.S ACC N PL old old things old things
G3820-05 Mark 2:21 παλαιόν palaion ADJ.A ACC N SG old old thing old thing
G3820-07 Mark 2:21 παλαιοῦ palaiou ADJ.S GEN N SG old of the ancient old
G3820-08 Mark 2:22 παλαιούς palaious ADJ.A ACC M PL old ancient ones old ones
G3820-05 Luke 5:36 παλαιόν palaion ADJ.A ACC N SG old old thing old thing
G3820-04 Luke 5:36 παλαιῷ palaio ADJ.S DAT N SG old to the old old
G3820-08 Luke 5:37 παλαιούς palaious ADJ.A ACC M PL old ancient ones old ones
G3820-05 Luke 5:39 παλαιὸν palaion ADJ.S ACC M SG old wine old thing old thing
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