← G5428 G5430 →

φρόνιμος

phrónimos

G5429 predicate adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Possessing sound judgment or practical wisdom; characterized by prudence and thoughtfulness in decision-making. In various contexts, can denote being sensible, shrewd, prudent, or judicious. In extended or negative contexts, may imply being cunning, crafty, or self-serving, but the primary sense is one of practical, discerning intelligence.

Semantic Range

prudent, sensible, thoughtful, judicious, shrewd, practical-minded, cautious, discreet, sometimes crafty or cunning

Root / Etymology

From the root φρήν (phrēn), meaning 'mind,' 'understanding,' or 'thought.' φρόνιμος is an adjective derived from this, conveying the sense of someone in possession of mindful or prudent qualities.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, φρόνιμος was a positive term, praising someone for practical intelligence and sound judgment, often contrasted with σοφός (sophos), which could imply more theoretical wisdom, and συνετός (synetos), which carries the sense of intellectual or interpretative ability. In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, φρόνιμος continued to mean 'prudent,' 'thoughtful,' or 'sensible,' but context could sometimes shade the meaning toward 'shrewd' or even 'cunning,' especially in parables or rhetorical usage (e.g., Matthew 10:16 'shrewd as serpents'). The term could be both commendatory ('wise, prudent') and, less frequently, pejorative (underlying sense of being self-serving or too clever), though the pejorative sense is not dominant in New Testament usage. English translations often render φρόνιμος as 'wise,' 'prudent,' or 'sensible,' but may obscure potential nuances of practical shrewdness versus theoretical wisdom.

Translation Consistency

primary "prudent" 11 occurrences

φρόνιμος primarily denotes practical, discerning judgment — prudence, thoughtfulness, and cautious sense. 'Prudent' was the dominant rendering (11 of 13) and best captures the typical New Testament usage (sensible, judicious, cautious) while allowing the occasional shading toward shrewdness; it is natural English and preserves the pragmatic emphasis of the Greek term.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):
"prudent-minded man" (2x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from φρήν; thoughtful, i.e. sagacious or discreet (implying a cautious character; while σοφός denotes practical skill or acumen; and συνετός indicates rather intelligence or mental acquirement); in a bad sense conceited (also in the comparative):--wise(-r).

Root Family

φρόν- (phrónimos) — to think, to be minded, to be prudent

Root φρόν- to think, to be minded, to be prudent

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5429-02 φρόνιμοι phronimoi ADJ.P NOM M PL wise prudent ones prudent ones 8
G5429-03 φρονίμοις phronimois ADJ.S DAT F PL to wise men to prudent ones to prudent ones 2
G5429-04 φρόνιμος phronimos ADJ.A NOM M SG wise prudent-minded man prudent-minded man 2
G5429-01 φρονίμῳ phronimo ADJ.A DAT M SG wise to a prudent man prudent 1

Occurrences in Scripture

13 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5429-01 Matthew 7:24 φρονίμῳ phronimo ADJ.A DAT M SG wise to a prudent man prudent
G5429-02 Matthew 10:16 φρόνιμοι phronimoi ADJ.P NOM M PL shrewd prudent ones prudent ones
G5429-04 Matthew 24:45 φρόνιμος phronimos ADJ.A NOM M SG wise prudent-minded man prudent-minded man
G5429-02 Matthew 25:2 φρόνιμοι phronimoi ADJ.P NOM F PL wise prudent ones prudent ones
G5429-02 Matthew 25:4 φρόνιμοι phronimoi ADJ.S NOM F PL wise prudent ones prudent ones
G5429-03 Matthew 25:8 φρονίμοις phronimois ADJ.S DAT F PL wise to prudent ones to prudent ones
G5429-02 Matthew 25:9 φρόνιμοι phronimoi ADJ.S NOM F PL wise prudent ones prudent ones
G5429-04 Luke 12:42 φρόνιμος phronimos ADJ.R NOM M SG wise prudent-minded man prudent-minded man
G5429-02 Romans 11:25 φρόνιμοι phronimoi ADJ.P NOM M PL wise prudent ones prudent ones
G5429-02 Romans 12:16 φρόνιμοι phronimoi ADJ.P NOM M PL wise prudent ones prudent ones
G5429-02 1 Corinthians 4:10 φρόνιμοι phronimoi ADJ.P NOM M PL wise prudent ones prudent ones
G5429-03 1 Corinthians 10:15 φρονίμοις phronimois ADJ.S DAT M PL to wise men to prudent ones to prudent ones
G5429-02 2 Corinthians 11:19 φρόνιμοι phronimoi ADJ.P NOM M PL wise prudent ones prudent ones
← G5428 Greek Lexicon G5430 →