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ἀσεβής

asebḗs

G765 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Not showing proper reverence or respect for what is regarded as holy or worthy of veneration; without piety or devotion. In various contexts, refers to one who acts contrary to accepted religious norms, or disregards obligations to the divine or sacred. Can also signify moral corruption or lawlessness when used broadly, but its core meaning is the absence of active reverence.

Semantic Range

irreverent, impious, lacking respect for the divine, ungodly, morally corrupt (in extended use), opposed to religious or communal standards of piety, acting against what is deemed sacred

Root / Etymology

From the privative alpha (ἀ-, 'not, without') and the root σεβ-/σεβομαι ('to worship, revere, venerate'). Literally, 'not reverent' or 'not pious.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀσεβής characteristically described a lack of appropriate religious reverence, denoting impiety or disrespect toward the gods. The term is used extensively in philosophical and literary sources to mark those who violate sacred norms or duties, often contrasted with εὐσεβής ('pious'). In the Septuagint, ἀσεβής frequently renders Hebrew terms for the 'wicked' or 'ungodly,' broadening the sense from strictly religious impiety to general moral iniquity. In the New Testament and other contemporary Jewish literature, ἀσεβής typically refers to one who lives without regard for God, divine law, or communal standards of reverence, and often appears as a category of ethical or religious disapproval. Standard English translations like 'ungodly' or 'wicked' capture the general sense but can obscure the word's core meaning of lacking reverence or pious respect. The term is usually applied to persons, but sometimes to actions characteristic of impiety or disregard for the sacred. In contrast to related terms such as ἁμαρτωλός ('sinner'), which focuses on commission of sin, ἀσεβής emphasizes the orientation of one's attitude or disposition toward the sacred.

Translation Consistency

primary "ungodly" 6 occurrences

Ungodly is the most natural, common English rendering that captures the core sense of asebēs — lacking reverence or piety toward the divine. It is widely used in Bible translations, fits both the primary sense (absence of reverence) and the typical extended moral senses, and will read naturally when applied consistently to all forms.

Alternatives (3 occurrences):
"irreverent ones" (2x) "irreverent man" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from Α (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of σέβομαι; irreverent, i.e. (by extension) impious or wicked:-- ungodly (man).

Root Family

ἀσεβής (asebēs) — irreverent, impious, lacking reverence, without piety

Root σεβ- to revere, to venerate, to respect (negated)

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G765-06 ἀσεβῶν asebon ADJ.S GEN M PL ungodly of the irreverent of the ungodly 3
G765-02 ἀσεβεῖς asebeis ADJ.S NOM M PL ungodly irreverent ones ungodly ones 2
G765-04 ἀσεβέσι asebesi ADJ.S DAT M PL ungodly to irreverent ones to irreverent ones 1
G765-03 ἀσεβὴς asebes ADJ.S NOM M SG ungodly irreverent man ungodly man 1
G765-05 ἀσεβέσιν asebesin ADJ.S DAT M PL ungodly ones to irreverent ones to irreverent ones 1
G765-01 ἀσεβῆ asebe ADJ.S ACC M SG ungodly irreverent man irreverent man 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G765-01 Romans 4:5 ἀσεβῆ asebe ADJ.S ACC M SG ungodly irreverent man irreverent man
G765-06 Romans 5:6 ἀσεβῶν asebon ADJ.S GEN M PL ungodly of the irreverent of the ungodly
G765-04 1 Timothy 1:9 ἀσεβέσι asebesi ADJ.S DAT M PL ungodly to irreverent ones to irreverent ones
G765-03 1 Peter 4:18 ἀσεβὴς asebes ADJ.S NOM M SG ungodly irreverent man ungodly man
G765-06 2 Peter 2:5 ἀσεβῶν asebon ADJ.S GEN M PL ungodly of the irreverent of the ungodly
G765-05 2 Peter 2:6 ἀσεβέσιν asebesin ADJ.S DAT M PL ungodly ones to irreverent ones to irreverent ones
G765-06 2 Peter 3:7 ἀσεβῶν asebon ADJ.A GEN M PL ungodly of the irreverent of the ungodly
G765-02 Jude 1:4 ἀσεβεῖς asebeis ADJ.S NOM M PL ungodly irreverent ones ungodly ones
G765-02 Jude 1:15 ἀσεβεῖς asebeis ADJ.A NOM M PL ungodly irreverent ones ungodly ones
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