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ἀπώλεια

apṓleia

G684 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

The state or process of being destroyed, ruined, or lost; denotes loss of well-being, utter ruin, annihilation, or (in broader contexts) wastefulness. In various contexts, it can indicate physical destruction, moral ruin, or the forfeiture of that which is valuable or essential.

Semantic Range

destruction, ruin, loss, annihilation, waste, forfeiture/destruction of something valuable, moral/spiritual ruin, death, perdition (in a figurative sense)

Root / Etymology

From the verb ἀπόλλυμι (to destroy, to ruin, to lose, to perish), formed as a noun indicating the result or state of being destroyed or lost. The noun construction -εια (as in many Greek abstract nouns) marks the quality, state, or result of the related action.

Historical & Contextual Notes

First attested in classical Greek (e.g., Herodotus, Plato) with a general sense of 'loss' or 'destruction'. In the Septuagint, ἀπώλεια regularly translates Hebrew terms for ruin, destruction, or annihilation, especially in reference to the downfall of individuals or peoples but not necessarily implying eternal condemnation. In Hellenistic and New Testament usage, ἀπώλεια continues to denote both literal/physical and figurative/moral ruin or loss. In the New Testament, it often contrasts with 'salvation' (σωτηρία) and is used to describe the fate awaiting those who oppose the divine will, although it does not inherently carry the later doctrinal sense of 'eternal damnation' as developed in later Christian tradition. Standard English translations (e.g., 'perdition,' 'destruction,' 'waste') render only parts of its semantic range, sometimes narrowing its meaning to final condemnation or spiritual loss, while in Greek usage the term more broadly covered other kinds of ruin, loss, or wasteful squandering (cf. John 17:12; Matt 26:8, Mark 14:4). Related to but more severe or finalized than φθορά ('corruption, decay'); distinct from ζημία ('loss, forfeit') which typically implies material loss or penalties.

Translation Consistency

primary "ruin" 16 occurrences

“Ruin” is the most natural, flexible English term that covers the typical semantic range of ἀπώλεια — destruction, loss, moral/spiritual downfall, and forfeiture. It is the most frequent and idiomatic rendering in the attestations (and more natural than the formal “destruction” or the theological “perdition”), so using “ruin” ensures consistent, readable translation of all forms under G684.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):
"waste" (2x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a presumed derivative of ἀπόλλυμι; ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal):--damnable(-nation), destruction, die, perdition, X perish, pernicious ways, waste.

Root Family

ἀπώλεια (apōleia) — destruction, ruin, loss, annihilation

Root ἀπολ- to destroy, to ruin, to lose

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G684-02 ἀπώλειαν apoleian N ACC F SG destruction ruin ruin 9
G684-03 ἀπωλείας apoleias N GEN F SG destruction of ruin of ruin 5
G684-01 ἀπώλεια apoleia N NOM F SG waste destruction ruin 4

Occurrences in Scripture

18 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G684-02 Matthew 7:13 ἀπώλειαν apoleian N ACC F SG destruction ruin ruin
G684-01 Matthew 26:8 ἀπώλεια apoleia N NOM F SG waste destruction waste
G684-01 Mark 14:4 ἀπώλεια apoleia N NOM F SG waste destruction waste
G684-03 John 17:12 ἀπωλείας apoleias N GEN F SG perdition of ruin of ruin
G684-02 Acts 8:20 ἀπώλειαν apoleian N ACC F SG destruction ruin ruin
G684-02 Romans 9:22 ἀπώλειαν apoleian N ACC F SG destruction ruin ruin
G684-03 Philippians 1:28 ἀπωλείας apoleias N GEN F SG of destruction of ruin of ruin
G684-01 Philippians 3:19 ἀπώλεια apoleia N NOM F SG is destruction destruction ruin
G684-03 2 Thessalonians 2:3 ἀπωλείας apoleias N GEN F SG destruction of ruin of ruin
G684-02 1 Timothy 6:9 ἀπώλειαν apoleian N ACC F SG destruction ruin ruin
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