ἀΐδιος
aḯdios
G126 attributive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Pertaining to that which exists or endures perpetually; having no temporal limitation, either with respect to the past, the future, or both. In contexts, denotes what is unending or ever-ongoing, often applied to abstract realities (such as power, bonds, or punishment), not typically human or mundane things. Conveys the sense of that which is without beginning or end, truly perpetual.
Semantic Range
perpetual, everlasting, eternal, having no beginning or end, undying, deathless
Root / Etymology
From the adverb ἀεί (“always, ever, perpetually”), with the adjectival suffix -ιος, forming an adjective indicating enduring or lasting by nature.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἀΐδιος is almost exclusively used in philosophical and scientific writings to describe what is everlasting in substance or nature—commonly the heavens, the cosmos, or divine qualities (see Plato, Aristotle). It designates an intrinsic, unchanging perpetuity, as distinct from μακρός (long-lasting) or αἰώνιος (of an age, enduring for an age or indefinitely). In the Septuagint, ἀΐδιος is rare and translates concepts of unending duration (e.g., divine power, Wisdom 7:26; everlasting chains, Wisdom 6:4, Jude 6). In the New Testament, it appears only twice (Romans 1:20; Jude 6), both times in reference to divine or supernatural realities ('eternal power', 'eternal bonds'). Later Christian theology tended to merge and sometimes confuse ἀΐδιος with αἰώνιος, but in earlier usage, ἀΐδιος refers to what has no boundary in time, absolutely perpetual, whereas αἰώνιος can denote 'lasting through an age/epoch', not always strictly endless. English translations often render both as 'eternal' or 'everlasting,' but ἀΐδιος is the stronger, more absolute term, primarily used for divine or cosmic attributes and not for ordinary things or human lifespans.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀεί; everduring (forward and backward, or forward only):--eternal, everlasting.
Root Family
ἀΐδιος (aïdios) — always, ever, perpetual, everlasting
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G126-02 |
ἀΐδιος | aidios | ADJ.A NOM F SG |
eternal | perpetual | perpetual | 1 |
G126-01 |
ἀϊδίοις | aidiois | ADJ.A DAT M PL |
eternal | to perpetual ones | eternal | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G126-02 |
Romans 1:20 | ἀΐδιος | aidios | ADJ.A NOM F SG |
eternal | perpetual | perpetual |
G126-01 |
Jude 1:6 | ἀϊδίοις | aidiois | ADJ.A DAT M PL |
eternal | to perpetual ones | eternal |