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ἀσφάλεια

aspháleia

G803 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A state or condition of being secure, unfailing, or free from danger; reliability, certainty, or safety. The term conveys first a sense of stability and the absence of threat or risk, and by extension, the reliability or definitiveness of a statement or situation. In various contexts, it can refer to physical safety, the certainty of an event or fact, or the dependability of a report.

Semantic Range

security, safety, physical protection; certainty, reliability; assurance, absence of danger or risk, stability

Root / Etymology

Derived from ἀσφαλής (asphalēs), meaning 'firm, secure, reliable.' The suffix -εια (-eia) forms abstract nouns indicating a state or condition. Ultimately, ἀσφαλής itself is from α- (a-, 'not') + σφάλλω (sphallō, 'cause to fall' or 'trip up'), giving the idea of something that does not fall or fail.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, ἀσφάλεια referred broadly to security, safety, or stability—applied to persons, cities, or circumstances. In Hellenistic and Roman-era literature (including the Septuagint and New Testament), the word maintained its reference to safety from danger or harm (e.g., Acts 5:23 for secure imprisonment) but was also extended to more abstract senses, such as certainty or the surety of a statement (Luke 1:4). In the NT, the notion of 'certainty' tends to stress the reliability or factuality of what is being conveyed. Standard English translations ('security,' 'safety,' 'certainty') may not always fully capture the range of social, physical, or epistemological assurance implied by ἀσφάλεια.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀσφαλής; security (literally or figuratively):--certainty, safety.

Root Family

ἀσφάλεια (asphaleia) — security, firmness, reliability, certainty

Root ἀσφαλ- secure, firm, reliable

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G803-01 ἀσφαλείᾳ asphaleia N DAT F SG safety in security security 2
G803-02 ἀσφάλειαν asphaleian N ACC F SG certainty security certainty 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G803-02 Luke 1:4 ἀσφάλειαν asphaleian N ACC F SG certainty security certainty
G803-01 Acts 5:23 ἀσφαλείᾳ asphaleia N DAT F SG security in security security
G803-01 1 Thessalonians 5:3 ἀσφάλεια asphaleia N NOM F SG safety in security security
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