ἀπαλός
apalós
G527 predicate adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Soft, tender — describes physical softness or delicacy to the touch, often used with reference to skin, flesh, or demeanor (as in gentleness or delicacy), and by extension can denote tender age or immaturity. In some contexts, may refer to someone who is delicate or unfit for hard labor.
Semantic Range
soft to the touch, tender (in character or age), delicate, gentle (of demeanor), immature or inexperienced (by extension)
Root / Etymology
etymology uncertain; not clearly derived from a known Greek root, but the form resembles other -αλός adjectives, which tend to have sensory or descriptive qualities.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Earliest attestations include classical Greek (e.g., Homer) where ἀπαλός describes the softness of substances like wool or the skin, with an emphasis on pleasant tactile qualities. In Koine and Hellenistic usage, retains the core sense of softness but is also used of persons, especially to indicate youthfulness or tenderness (as of children or delicate individuals). In the Septuagint and New Testament periods, it may connote both literal physical softness and the figurative sense of inexperience or vulnerability. Traditional English translations frequently narrow the meaning to 'tender' or 'delicate,' but in Greek it more broadly encompasses physical, emotional, and metaphorical softness. Usage contrasts with terms like σκληρός (hard, harsh) and may imply positive (gentleness) or negative (weakness, immaturity) connotations depending on context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of uncertain derivation; soft:--tender.
Root Family
ἀπαλός (apalos) — soft, tender, delicate
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G527-01 |
ἁπαλὸς | apalos | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
tender | tender | tender | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G527-01 |
Matthew 24:32 | ἁπαλὸς | apalos | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
tender | tender | tender |
G527-01 |
Mark 13:28 | ἁπαλὸς | apalos | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
tender | tender | tender |