ἀνωφελής (G512) — Greek Lexicon

ἀνωφελής

anōphelḗs

G512 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Not beneficial, providing no advantage, profit, or use; failing to produce a desired effect or outcome. In specific contexts, denotes something or someone without practical value, efficacy, or contribution.

Semantic Range

useless, unprofitable, ineffective, fruitless, ineffectual, of no benefit, producing no advantage

Root / Etymology

From privative prefix ἀ- ('not, without') and the root ὠφελ- (from ὠφελέω, 'to assist, provide benefit, be useful'), yielding the sense 'not useful' or 'without benefit'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ἀνωφελής is first attested in classical Greek (e.g., Xenophon) to indicate something ineffective, ineffectual, or unprofitable. In Hellenistic and Koine usage (including the Septuagint and New Testament), the term maintains this focus on practical uselessness, often applied to actions, objects, or even people whose efforts or presence fail to yield positive results or benefit. Unlike terms signifying inherent worthlessness, ἀνωφελής centers on utility and practical outcome: an action might have moral content but still be labeled ἀνωφελής if it yields no result. In the New Testament (e.g., Hebrews 7:18), the term contrasts practices or commandments considered ineffective in achieving their intended goal. Standard English translations render the term as 'unprofitable,' 'useless,' or 'ineffectual,' but may not always convey the specific emphasis on lack of beneficial outcome. The term is closely related to ὠφελέω ('to benefit, to be advantageous'), but ἀνωφελής signals the negative: the absence of such benefit. It does not typically carry the sense of active harm, but rather of inefficacy or irrelevance.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from Α (as a negative particle) and the base of ὠφέλιμος; useless or (neuter) inutility:--unprofitable(-ness).

Root Family

ὠφελ- (anōphelḗs) — to benefit, to be useful

Root ὠφελ- to benefit, to be useful

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
G5622	ὠφέλεια	benefit
G5623	ὠφελέω	benefits

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G512-01`	ἀνωφελεῖς	anopheleis	`ADJ.S NOM F PL`	unprofitable	unbeneficial (feminine plural)	unprofitable	1
`G512-02`	ἀνωφελές	anopheles	`ADJ.S ACC N SG`	unprofitableness	something useless	uselessness	1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G512-01`	Titus 3:9	ἀνωφελεῖς	anopheleis	`ADJ.S NOM F PL`	unprofitable	unbeneficial (feminine plural)	unprofitable
`G512-02`	Hebrews 7:18	ἀνωφελές	anopheles	`ADJ.S ACC N SG`	unprofitableness	something useless	uselessness

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