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χείρων

cheírōn

G5501 predicate adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Comparative form indicating a greater degree of badness, inferiority, or unfavorable condition; worse. Typically refers to something more unsatisfactory, more harmful, or less advantageous compared to another person, state, or thing. May indicate a deterioration in quality, worsening of circumstances, or moral/ethical inferiority. In moral, physical, or circumstantial contexts, describes something more to be avoided, inferior in kind, or more blameworthy.

Semantic Range

worse (in quality, condition, or circumstance), inferior, more severe, more unpleasant, more wicked, more blameworthy, in a worse situation, to have declined or deteriorated

Root / Etymology

Formed as the irregular comparative of κακός ('bad', 'evil'). The morphological type is a suppletive comparative, derived from a root or an obsolete form related to κακός, but its precise derivation is uncertain. The standard Greek comparative of κακός is κακίων, but χείρων was often preferred for stylistic and semantic reasons.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Attested from Classical Greek onward, χείρων is the established comparative for negative qualities, especially in physical, moral, and social contexts. In Koine and New Testament Greek, it frequently describes worsening conditions, comparative moral states, or increased severity of outcomes. Frequently opposed to forms like βέλτιων or ἀμείνων (better, improved). Unlike κακίων, which can sometimes bear a more strictly evaluative sense of 'less good,' χείρων more sharply expresses 'worse' as a moral, qualitative, or physical decline. English translations almost always render χείρων as 'worse,' 'more severe,' or 'more evil,' but this sometimes obscures nuances regarding type of inferiority (e.g., social status, physical condition, outcome). In Septuagint and New Testament contexts (e.g., Mark 5:26; 2 Peter 2:20), χείρων emphasizes deterioration or regression compared to a former or alternative state. The term is also employed idiomatically for unfavorable comparisons beyond ethics or physical health (e.g., 'worse off,' 'in a worse state' economically or socially).

Translation Consistency

primary "worse" 11 occurrences

χείρων is a comparative adjective meaning “more bad” or “worse.” "Worse" is the natural, commonly used English equivalent that covers its typical semantic range (inferior, more severe, more blameworthy, deteriorated condition) and matches the majority of existing renderings, so it provides clear, consistent translation across all forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

irregular comparative of κακός; from an obsolete equivalent (of uncertain derivation); more evil or aggravated (physically, mentally or morally):--sorer, worse.

Root Family

χειρ- (epicheiréō) — hand, take in hand, undertake, attempt

Root χειρ- to be inferior, to be worse, to be less good
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G2021 ἐπιχειρέω they undertook
G4400 προχειρίζομαι to appoint beforehand for oneself

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5501-01 χεῖρον cheiron ADJ.A NOM N SG COMP worse of worse ones worse 7
G5501-02 χείρονα cheirona ADJ.P NOM N PL worse worse things worse 3
G5501-03 χείρονος cheironos ADJ.S GEN F SG worse of a worse one of a worse one 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5501-01 Matthew 9:16 χεῖρον cheiron ADJ.A NOM N SG COMP worse of worse ones worse
G5501-02 Matthew 12:45 χείρονα cheirona ADJ.P NOM N PL worse worse things worse
G5501-01 Matthew 27:64 χείρων cheiron ADJ.P NOM F SG worse of worse ones worse
G5501-01 Mark 2:21 χεῖρον cheiron ADJ.A NOM N SG COMP worse of worse ones worse
G5501-01 Mark 5:26 χεῖρον cheiron ADJ.A ACC N SG COMP worse of worse ones worse condition
G5501-02 Luke 11:26 χείρονα cheirona ADJ.P NOM N PL worse worse things worse
G5501-01 John 5:14 χεῖρόν cheiron ADJ.S NOM N SG worse of worse ones worse
G5501-01 1 Timothy 5:8 χείρων cheiron ADJ.P NOM M SG worse of worse ones of worse ones
G5501-01 2 Timothy 3:13 χεῖρον cheiron ADJ.A ACC N SG COMP worse of worse ones worse
G5501-03 Hebrews 10:29 χείρονος cheironos ADJ.S GEN F SG worse of a worse one of a worse one
G5501-02 2 Peter 2:20 χείρονα cheirona ADJ.P NOM N PL worse worse things worse than
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