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ἀντιλογία

antilogía

G485 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

The act of speaking against, contradiction or opposition in speech; verbal resistance or dispute. More broadly, the word encompasses a range of confrontational or oppositional speech acts—such as argument, objection, contentious reply, or even broader forms of contrariness. In some contexts, it may imply disobedience or rebellion specifically as expressed through contradiction or defiant speech.

Semantic Range

contradiction, verbal opposition, dispute, contentious speech, gainsaying, contentious reply, conflicting argument, disobedience (as expressed in speech), rhetorical or formal contradiction

Root / Etymology

From ἀντιλέγω (to speak against, to oppose verbally), itself from ἀντί (against) + λέγω (to say, to speak). The suffix -ία forms an abstract noun indicating an action or state related to the root verb. Thus, ἀντιλογία refers to the act or condition of speaking against or contradicting.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀντιλογία is primarily found in philosophical and rhetorical contexts, denoting contradiction or debate, especially in situations of formal argument (Plato, Xenophon). In Hellenistic and Koine usage, including the Septuagint and the New Testament, its scope widens to cover not only formal contradiction but also contentious or resistant speech against authority or established truth. In the New Testament (e.g., Hebrews 12:3, Jude 11), ἀντιλογία can denote opposition to divinely sanctioned figures or commands, and sometimes expands to cover the notion of disobedience when verbal opposition is inseparable from rebellion. English translations such as 'contradiction,' 'gainsaying,' or 'opposition' generally convey the core meaning, but often underrepresent the active, confrontational nuance of the Greek. The word does not automatically connote organized rebellion but rather highlights the verbal and rhetorical dimension of dissent. In the LXX, it may translate Hebrew terms for contention or rebellion (e.g., Num 20:13). It contrasts with less aggressive terms like διαφωνία (disagreement) by emphasizing the combative or confrontational, rather than merely differing, nature of the speech.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a derivative of ἀντιλέγω; dispute, disobedience:--contradiction, gainsaying, strife.

Root Family

ἀντιλογία (antilogia) — contradiction, verbal opposition, dispute, contentious speech

Root ἀντιλογ- to speak against, contradict, oppose verbally

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G485-03 ἀντιλογίας antilogias N GEN F SG dispute of verbal opposition of verbal opposition 2
G485-01 ἀντιλογίᾳ antilogia N DAT F SG rebellion to verbal opposition rebellion 1
G485-02 ἀντιλογίαν antilogian N ACC F SG hostility verbal opposition verbal opposition 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G485-03 Hebrews 6:16 ἀντιλογίας antilogias N GEN F SG dispute of verbal opposition of verbal opposition
G485-03 Hebrews 7:7 ἀντιλογίας antilogias N GEN F SG dispute of verbal opposition of verbal opposition
G485-02 Hebrews 12:3 ἀντιλογίαν antilogian N ACC F SG hostility verbal opposition verbal opposition
G485-01 Jude 1:11 ἀντιλογίᾳ antilogia N DAT F SG rebellion to verbal opposition rebellion
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