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ψεῦδος

pseûdos

G5579 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A false statement, untruth, or that which deceives; the state or quality of being false; an act of deception by speech or action. Beyond the basic sense of 'lie,' the word encompasses intentional misrepresentation, fabrication, and, in some contexts, the embodiment or manifestation of falsehood, as in doctrine, testimony, or personified evil.

Semantic Range

lie, falsehood, untruth, fabrication, deception, false statement, false doctrine, that which is not true, manifestation of falsehood

Root / Etymology

From the verb ψεύδομαι ('to lie, to speak falsely, to deceive'), built on the root ψευδ-. Formed as an abstract noun from the verb, denoting the quality, act, or result of lying.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, ψεῦδος refers to a falsehood in general, including myths, fabricated stories, or deliberate lies. The term carries the sense of both spoken and written falsehoods, and is not confined to legal or judicial contexts. In the Septuagint, ψεῦδος is frequently used to translate Hebrew שֶׁקֶר (sheqer), referring to lies, deceit, or false testimony. In the New Testament, ψεῦδος occurs as a substantive for deliberate untruth (John 8:44, 1 John 2:21), frequently in contrast to ἀλήθεια ('truth'). It is also used to characterize false doctrine or that which leads people astray (e.g., 2 Thessalonians 2:9). English translations often render ψεῦδος as 'lie,' 'falsehood,' or 'lying,' but these terms do not always capture the breadth of meaning, as ψεῦδος can refer to any kind of false or deceptive reality, not merely deliberate personal assertion. In contrast to other words like πλάνη ('deception' or 'error'), ψεῦδος stresses the aspect of deliberate falsehood or fabrication rather than mistaken belief or self-deception.

Translation Consistency

primary "falsehood" 10 occurrences

ψεῦδος is a noun covering the state, act, or content of being false (lies, deception, false teaching). “Falsehood” is broad enough to cover simple lies, fabricated statements, and abstract/embodied untruths (false doctrine), and matches the majority of existing renderings while remaining natural English.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ψεύδομαι; a falsehood:--lie, lying.

Root Family

ψεῦδος (pseudos) — lie, falsehood, untruth, deception, fabrication

Root ψευδ- to lie, to deceive, to speak falsely

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5579-02 ψεῦδος pseudos N ACC N SG lie falsehood falsehood 7
G5579-01 ψεύδει pseudei N DAT N SG lie to falsehood falsehood 2
G5579-03 ψεύδους pseudous N GEN N SG false of falsehood of falsehood 1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5579-02 John 8:44 ψεῦδος pseudos N ACC N SG lie falsehood falsehood
G5579-01 Romans 1:25 ψεύδει pseudei N DAT N SG lie to falsehood falsehood
G5579-02 Ephesians 4:25 ψεῦδος pseudos N ACC N SG falsehood falsehood falsehood
G5579-03 2 Thessalonians 2:9 ψεύδους pseudous N GEN N SG false of falsehood of falsehood
G5579-01 2 Thessalonians 2:11 ψεύδει pseudei N DAT N SG lie to falsehood falsehood
G5579-02 1 John 2:21 ψεῦδος pseudos N NOM N SG lie falsehood falsehood
G5579-02 1 John 2:27 ψεῦδος pseudos N NOM N SG lie falsehood falsehood
G5579-02 Revelation 14:5 ψεῦδος pseudos N NOM N SG lie falsehood falsehood
G5579-02 Revelation 21:27 ψεῦδος pseudos N ACC N SG lie falsehood falsehood
G5579-02 Revelation 22:15 ψεῦδος pseudos N ACC N SG a lie falsehood falsehood
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