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ἄπειρος

ápeiros

G552 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Unacquainted through lack of experience; lacking experiential knowledge or skill in a matter, unpracticed. The term applies both to general inexperience and to specific lack of competence or discernment in a field or context. In certain contexts it may refer primarily to ignorance or unfamiliarity due to inexperience, rather than willful ignorance or incapacity.

Semantic Range

inexperienced, unacquainted, unpracticed, lacking skill or discernment, novice, ignorant (by inexperience)

Root / Etymology

From the alpha privative (ἀ-, marking negation) and πεῖρα ('trial, attempt, experience'). Thus, 'without experience,' or 'untried.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

ἄπειρος is attested in classical Greek (e.g., Herodotus, Plato) with the sense of 'unacquainted' or 'inexperienced,' sometimes in moral, practical, or technical contexts (e.g., inexperienced in war, law, or a subject). The sense is not strictly negative but states absence of experience, sometimes implying naïveté, lack of ability, or immaturity. In the Septuagint and New Testament, it bears the sense of inexperience or lack of discernment—often in ethical, spiritual, or practical matters (e.g., Hebrews 5:13, describing one lacking in mature understanding of righteousness). English translation as 'unskilful' or 'ignorant' narrows the range; the term is broader, describing one not yet matured by practice as opposed to one stubbornly ignorant. The word contrasts with ἔμπειρος ('experienced', 'practiced'). Usage remains stable from classical through Hellenistic periods and into Koine.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from Α (as a negative particle) and πεῖρα; inexperienced, i.e. ignorant:--unskilful.

Root Family

ἄπειρος (apeiros) — without experience, untried, lacking experiential knowledge

Root πειρ- to try, to attempt, to experience

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G552-01 ἄπειρος apeiros ADJ.S NOM M SG inexperienced an inexperienced man inexperienced 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G552-01 Hebrews 5:13 ἄπειρος apeiros ADJ.S NOM M SG inexperienced an inexperienced man inexperienced
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