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ἁγνός

hagnós

G53 predicate adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Primarily, free from contamination or defilement; pure in the sense of being untainted or unmixed. In moral contexts, denotes innocence or integrity of character; in ritual contexts, indicates ceremonial purity or freedom from pollution. Can extend metaphorically to purity of motive, intention, or devotion, especially regarding chastity or fidelity.

Semantic Range

pure (physically, ritually, or morally); chaste; innocent; undefiled; sincere; untainted; clear in intention or motivation

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root ἁγ-, related to ἅγιος ('set apart, holy'). The root carries the fundamental idea of separation from that which is profane or impure.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἁγνός signified physical and ritual purity, particularly in cultic and sacrificial settings (Homer, tragedy). The term denotes not only the absence of physical stain but also moral innocence, especially as expected of those serving deities or engaging in religious rites. In the Hellenistic period, the semantic range broadened to encompass ethical purity, such as chastity or freedom from moral blemish (cf. Polybius, Epictetus). In the Septuagint, ἁγνός renders Hebrew terms for purity (e.g., טָהוֹר, 'tahor'), typically in the context of ritual law or moral uprightness. In the New Testament, its application is heavily moral: sexual chastity (2 Corinthians 11:2), uncorrupted integrity (Philippians 4:8), and sincere, uncontaminated religious devotion (James 3:17). Standard English translations—'pure,' 'chaste,' 'clean'—often do not capture the term’s ritual, ethical, and sometimes communal dimensions. ἁγνός overlaps with καθαρός ('clean') but emphasizes moral or cultic unimpairedness more than physical cleanliness. Unlike ἅγιος, which denotes set-apartness or consecration, ἁγνός focuses on the state of being unpolluted. In Judean and early Christian contexts, purity carried crucial cultural significance related to community boundaries, worship, and moral order.

Translation Consistency

primary "pure" 8 occurrences

ἁγνός primarily denotes being free from contamination or defilement—physically, ritually, or morally. "Pure" is the most natural, commonly used English adjective that covers ritual purity, moral innocence, chastity, and sincerity, and matches the SILEX range and the attestations (8×). It is concise, natural-sounding, and consistent for all forms of this lemma.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the same as ἅγιος; properly, clean, i.e. (figuratively) innocent, modest, perfect:--chaste, clean, pure.

Root Family

ἁγνός (hagnos) — pure, untainted, undefiled, innocent, chaste

Root ἁγ- to be pure, to be free from contamination, to be holy

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G53-04 ἁγνὴν agnen ADJ.A ACC F SG chaste pure pure 2
G53-02 ἁγνάς agnas ADJ.S ACC F PL pure pure ones (feminine) pure ones 1
G53-01 ἁγνά agna ADJ.P NOM N PL pure pure things pure things 1
G53-07 ἁγνοὺς agnous ADJ.P ACC M PL pure pure ones pure 1
G53-05 ἁγνὸν agnon ADJ.S ACC M SG pure pure one pure 1
G53-03 ἁγνή agne ADJ.P NOM F SG pure pure (feminine singular) pure (feminine singular) 1
G53-06 ἁγνός agnos ADJ.P NOM M SG pure purely pure 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G53-07 2 Corinthians 7:11 ἁγνοὺς agnous ADJ.P ACC M PL pure pure ones pure
G53-04 2 Corinthians 11:2 ἁγνὴν agnen ADJ.A ACC F SG pure pure pure
G53-01 Philippians 4:8 ἁγνά agna ADJ.P NOM N PL pure pure things pure things
G53-05 1 Timothy 5:22 ἁγνὸν agnon ADJ.S ACC M SG pure pure one pure
G53-02 Titus 2:5 ἁγνάς agnas ADJ.S ACC F PL pure pure ones (feminine) pure ones
G53-03 James 3:17 ἁγνή agne ADJ.P NOM F SG pure pure (feminine singular) pure (feminine singular)
G53-04 1 Peter 3:2 ἁγνὴν agnen ADJ.A ACC F SG chaste pure pure
G53-06 1 John 3:3 ἁγνός agnos ADJ.P NOM M SG pure purely pure
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