ἄθεσμος
áthesmos
G113 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Not bound by, or contrary to, established norms, ordinances, or customs; unlawful, lawless. The term primarily denotes the rejection or disregard of societal or divine standards, with extensions to one who acts outside recognized legal or moral boundaries. It may refer to persons or actions characterized by opposition to rules, customs, or moral laws.
Semantic Range
lawless, unbridled, against established custom, without regard for ordinances, criminal, wicked, impious, opposed to both human and divine standards
Root / Etymology
From the alpha privative (ἄ-, marking negation) and a derivative of τίθημι (to put, to place, to establish); thus literally 'not set, not established [by law].'
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἄθεσμος appears rarely in Greek literature, but its use in the Septuagint (e.g., Wisdom of Solomon 1:16) and in the New Testament (2 Peter 2:7–8) reflects Hellenistic idiom describing someone who acts in disregard for divine or communal order. In classical Greek, the word is extremely rare and typically means someone acting against custom or established ordinance. By the NT and LXX periods, ἄθεσμος crystallizes as a term for one whose actions are not only unlawful but fundamentally at odds with accepted norms—especially in context of moral or religious offense. The lexical sense overlaps with, but is more intensive than, ἄνομος ('without law'), emphasizing willful opposition to what is instituted. English translations often render it 'lawless' or 'wicked,' but 'lawless' best preserves its semantic range. The term does not exclusively refer to legal transgressions but includes disregard for moral standards upheld by the community or deity.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from Α (as a negative particle) and a derivative of τίθημι (in the sense of enacting); lawless, i.e. (by implication) criminal:--wicked.
Root Family
ἄθεσμος (athesmos) — not established by law, lawless, contrary to ordinances, opposed to norms
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G113-01 |
ἀθέσμων | athesmon | ADJ.S GEN M PL |
lawless | of the lawless | lawless | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G113-01 |
2 Peter 2:7 | ἀθέσμων | athesmon | ADJ.S GEN M PL |
lawless | of the lawless | lawless |
G113-01 |
2 Peter 3:17 | ἀθέσμων | athesmon | ADJ.S GEN M PL |
lawless | of the lawless | lawless |