ψευδομάρτυρ (G5575) — Greek Lexicon

ψευδομάρτυρ

pseudomártyr

G5575 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

One who provides untrue, deceptive, or fabricated testimony or evidence, especially in a legal or judicial context; a person who intentionally misrepresents facts or gives false evidence as a witness. In extended usage, can refer to a person who falsely claims knowledge or personal experience of an event.

Semantic Range

one who gives false testimony, bearer of untrue evidence, perjurer, false accuser in judicial context

Root / Etymology

From ψευδής ('false, lying, deceptive') and a compound form related to μάρτυς ('witness'), thus literally 'false witness.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ψευδομάρτυρ is extremely rare and mainly found in later or legalistic Greek. It appears in Hellenistic and Koine Greek, particularly in legal, ethical, and narrative contexts where courtroom testimony or communal accusations are discussed. In the Septuagint and New Testament, it is typically used for someone who deliberately provides untruthful testimony, often in violation of communal or divine legal norms (e.g., 'You shall not bear false witness'). English translations frequently render the term as 'false witness,' in line with the Decalogue's prohibition, but this can obscure the original's emphasis on the legal role and intentional deceit, differentiating ψευδομάρτυρ from other terms for liars or deceivers. Contrasts with ἀληθινὸς μάρτυς ('true witness') in both Jewish and Greek legal idiom. The term presumes a judicial or communal setting where truthful testimony is critically valued. In post-biblical Greek and later Hellenistic Jewish texts, retains the specific legal connotation of perjury or bearing false witness rather than general lying.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ψευδής and a kindred form of μάρτυς; a spurious witness, i.e. bearer of untrue testimony:--false witness.

Root Family

ψευδομάρτυρ (pseudomartyr) — false, deceptive, witness, testify

Root ψευδ-μαρτυρ false, deceptive, witness, testify

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G5575-01`	ψευδομάρτυρες	pseudomartures	`N NOM M PL`	false witnesses	false witnesses	false witnesses	1
`G5575-02`	ψευδομαρτύρων	pseudomarturon	`N GEN M PL`	false witnesses	of false witnesses	of false witnesses	1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G5575-02`	Matthew 26:60	ψευδομαρτύρων	pseudomarturon	`N GEN M PL`	false witnesses	of false witnesses	of false witnesses
`G5575-01`	1 Corinthians 15:15	ψευδομάρτυρες	pseudomartures	`N NOM M PL`	false witnesses	false witnesses	false witnesses

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