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παράκλητος

paráklētos

G3875 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

One who is called to another's aid, especially as advocate, helper, or intercessor; in legal and relational contexts, a person who supports, intercedes, or advises on behalf of someone else. In wider usage: a mediator, spokesperson, or counselor; someone who provides comfort, encouragement, or defense, particularly in times of trial or accusation.

Semantic Range

advocate, helper (legal and relational), intercessor, comforter, counselor, mediator, supporter, spokesman

Root / Etymology

From the root κλητ- (from καλέω, 'to call') prefixed by παρά ('beside' or 'alongside'), thus literally 'one called alongside (to help)'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Earliest attested in Hellenistic Greek, though the noun form παράκλητος is rare in extrabiblical sources. In classical Greek, the related verb παρακαλέω has the basic sense 'to call to one's side', often for support, consolation, or exhortation. In Hellenistic and Jewish Greek, especially in the Septuagint and New Testament, the term develops a specialized sense as a legal advocate or representative who pleads a cause, defends, or intercedes on behalf of another. In the Gospel of John (e.g., John 14–16), παράκλητος is uniquely applied to the Spirit, suggesting an ongoing presence who advocates for, consoles, and counsels the disciples in the absence of Jesus. English translations have rendered παράκλητος variously as 'advocate', 'helper', 'comforter', or 'counselor', but no single English word fully encompasses the range of support, legal advocacy, exhortation, and consolation implied in the Greek. In first-century legal terminology, a παράκλητος would be one who acts in support of a defendant, distinct from but related to the figure of the ἀντίδικος (adversary). Later rabbinic sources may use similar terms in Aramaic or Hebrew for intercessory figures. The narrower theological meaning attached to the term in post-New Testament Christian tradition is later and not inherent in the Koine usage.

Translation Consistency

primary "advocate" 5 occurrences

Paraklētos most commonly functions as one who stands alongside to defend, intercede, and support — a legal/relational helper. 'Advocate' is a single, natural English word that captures the primary sense (defender/intercessor/representative) while still allowing the broader senses of comforter, counselor, and helper to be expressed in context. It is concise and widely recognizable in biblical English.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Root Family

παράκλητος (paraklētos) — one called alongside, advocate, helper, intercessor, mediator

Root κλητ- to call, to summon, to invoke help

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3875-02 Παράκλητος parakletos N NOM M SG Helper called-alongside advocate called-alongside advocate 3
G3875-01 Παράκλητον parakleton N ACC M SG advocate a called-along advocate a called-along advocate 2

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3875-01 John 14:16 Παράκλητον parakleton N ACC M SG Helper a called-along advocate a called-along advocate
G3875-02 John 14:26 Παράκλητος parakletos N NOM M SG Helper called-alongside advocate called-alongside advocate
G3875-02 John 15:26 Παράκλητος parakletos N NOM M SG Helper called-alongside advocate called-alongside advocate
G3875-02 John 16:7 Παράκλητος parakletos N NOM M SG Comforter called-alongside advocate called-alongside advocate
G3875-01 1 John 2:1 Παράκλητον parakleton N ACC M SG advocate a called-along advocate a called-along advocate
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