ψευδής (G5571) — Greek Lexicon

ψευδής

pseudḗs

G5571 attributive adjective

SILEX Entry

Root ψευδ- to lie, to be untrue, to deceive

Definition

Untrue, characterized by intentional or inherent falsehood. The primary meaning is 'false' or 'deceitful,' denoting that which does not correspond to reality or truth, whether in reference to statements, beliefs, intentions, or character. In some contexts, it can also denote a person given to falsehood (deceiver), though more commonly it serves as an attributive adjective rather than a substantive noun.

Semantic Range

false, untrue, deceptive, lying, deceitful, impostor (as an adjective describing a person or thing), erroneous, deceptive in purpose or substance

Root / Etymology

From the verb ψεύδομαι ('to lie, to speak falsely'). Formed with the adjectival suffix -ής, indicating a characteristic quality. Thus, ψευδής means 'having the quality of lying or falsehood.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, ψευδής is used as an adjective meaning 'false,' applying broadly to statements, objects, or people who do not reflect truth. The term carries into the Hellenistic and Koine periods with this sense intact, frequently used in the Septuagint and New Testament. Context determines whether the sense is specifically 'deceitful' (with intentionality) or more generally 'erroneous' (simply untrue). While it sometimes describes persons (e.g., ψευδὴς προφήτης, 'false prophet'), it most often qualifies speech or beliefs. English Bible translations typically render it as 'false' or 'liar,' but the English 'liar' translates the substantivized participle or agent noun more accurately (e.g., ψεύστης), whereas ψευδής is primarily adjectival in Greek. The semantic range does not necessarily imply moral wickedness; the connotation depends on collocation and discourse context.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ψεύδομαι; untrue, i.e. erroneous, deceitful, wicked:--false, liar.

Root Family

ψευδής (pseudēs) — false, untrue, deceitful, lying

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G5571-01`	ψευδεῖς	pseudeis	`ADJ.A ACC M PL`	false	deceitful ones	deceitful ones	2
`G5571-02`	ψευδέσιν	pseudesin	`ADJ.S DAT M PL`	liars	to deceitful ones	to deceitful ones	1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G5571-01`	Acts 6:13	ψευδεῖς	pseudeis	`ADJ.A ACC M PL`	false	deceitful ones	false
`G5571-01`	Revelation 2:2	ψευδεῖς	pseudeis	`ADJ.P ACC M PL`	liars	deceitful ones	deceitful ones
`G5571-02`	Revelation 21:8	ψευδέσιν	pseudesin	`ADJ.S DAT M PL`	liars	to deceitful ones	to deceitful ones

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