παραβάτης (G3848) — Greek Lexicon

παραβάτης

parabátēs

G3848 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

One who steps beside or deviates from a prescribed path; by extension, a transgressor or violator, especially of a law, rule, or commandment. The core meaning is that of crossing a boundary, whether literal or figurative, with the primary context in Koine Greek indicating someone who contravenes regulations, laws, or expected conduct. The word often denotes an active person who breaks a specific prohibition.

Semantic Range

transgressor, one who violates a law or command, one who goes beyond a fixed boundary, lawbreaker, delinquent, offender

Root / Etymology

From παραβαίνω (parabainō), which is formed from παρά (para, 'beside, beyond') and βαίνω (bainō, 'to go, walk, step'). The agentive suffix -της (-tēs) denotes one who habitually performs the action; thus, παραβάτης is 'one who steps aside (from)', i.e., a transgressor.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek literature, παραβάτης refers broadly to anyone who goes beyond or violates an established limit. In the Hellenistic and especially New Testament period, its usage becomes more narrowly associated with violation of legal or divine commandments, particularly Mosaic law. In the Septuagint and New Testament, παραβάτης regularly describes someone who breaks the 'law' (νόμος), accentuating the sense of willful disobedience or trespass. English translations often render the term as 'transgressor' or 'lawbreaker,' but these may not convey the dynamic sense of 'one who steps outside the assigned limits.' Contextually, it does not always refer specifically to moral or religious breach but may involve any kind of rule or obligation, depending on the context. Compare with related terms such as ἁμαρτωλός (hamartōlos, 'sinner'), which centers more on failure or missing the mark, whereas παραβάτης emphasizes overstepping a prescribed boundary.

Translation Consistency

primary "transgressor" 5 occurrences

Parabátēs denotes an agent who crosses a boundary or violates a law; the agent-noun 'transgressor' directly and naturally captures that primary sense (one who transgresses). It matches common English Bible usage and the SILEX range better than a gerund/verb form, while remaining simple and consistent for all forms under this Strong's number.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from παραβαίνω; a violator:--breaker, transgress(-or).

Root Family

παραβάτης (parabatēs) — to step beside, to go beyond, to cross a boundary

Root βατ- to step, to go, to walk

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G3848-03`	παραβάτης	parabates	`N NOM M SG`	a transgressor	boundary-stepper	transgressor	2
`G3848-02`	παραβάτην	parabaten	`N ACC M SG`	a transgressor	a boundary-crosser	a transgressor	2
`G3848-01`	παραβάται	parabatai	`N NOM M PL`	transgressors	boundary-crossers	transgressors	1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G3848-03`	Romans 2:25	παραβάτης	parabates	`N NOM M SG`	transgressor	boundary-stepper	transgressor
`G3848-02`	Romans 2:27	παραβάτην	parabaten	`N ACC M SG`	transgressor	a boundary-crosser	a transgressor
`G3848-02`	Galatians 2:18	παραβάτην	parabaten	`N ACC M SG`	a transgressor	a boundary-crosser	a transgressor
`G3848-01`	James 2:9	παραβάται	parabatai	`N NOM M PL`	transgressors	boundary-crossers	transgressors
`G3848-03`	James 2:11	παραβάτης	parabates	`N NOM M SG`	a transgressor	boundary-stepper	transgressor

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