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δικαίωμα

dikaíōma

G1345 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A legal requirement, righteous act, or decree established by authority; more broadly, δικαίωμα denotes an action that fulfills what is required by justice or law, and can refer to a regulation, ordinance, or the state of things being set right. In some contexts, it refers to the content or outcome of a judicial verdict, and in others to a concrete expression or fulfillment of justice or righteousness (i.e., a righteous act). It is used in legal, moral, and ritual contexts, shifting between the sense of an enacted law or statute and its proper observance or fulfillment.

Semantic Range

requirement of law, legal decree, ordinance, statute, judicial verdict, righteous deed, act of justification, fulfillment of justice or righteousness

Root / Etymology

From δικαιόω (to justify, to declare righteous), formed with the nominal suffix -μα (-ma) denoting result or product; thus, 'the result/effect of justifying' or 'a thing done in accordance with justice.' Ultimately based on the root δικαίος (just, righteous) from δικ-, relating to justice or what is right.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, δικαίωμα originally refers to an act of doing what is just, the outcome of a judicial process, or a decree by authority. In the Septuagint, the term frequently translates Hebrew words for 'statute' (e.g., חֹק/choq) or 'ordinance,' especially in the Pentateuch, indicating prescribed regulations or laws given by God. In the New Testament, the semantic range includes both the specific requirements of the Mosaic Law ('ordinances' or 'statutes') and the fulfillment or outcome of obedience to divine demand ('righteous deed' or 'act of justification'). In Pauline literature, δικαίωμα can refer to the righteous status or result effected by God, especially in a judicial or eschatological context (e.g., Romans 5:16, 18). English translations vary widely ('ordinance,' 'requirement,' 'righteous act,' 'justification'), sometimes obscuring the nuance between a legal command and its execution or fulfillment. The term overlaps with but is distinct from δικαιοσύνη ('righteousness,' the state or quality), focusing more on the enacted requirement, concrete observance, or judicial result.

Translation Consistency

primary "ordinance" 4 occurrences

dikaíōma most often denotes a law/regulation, decree, or required practice (including ritual/ethical rules). 'Ordinance' naturally covers statutes, decrees, and ritual regulations and is widely used in English Bible translations for this lemma. It also avoids conflating this noun with the distinct concept of 'righteousness' (dikaiosynē), keeping the legal/regulated sense clear and consistent across forms.

Alternatives (6 occurrences):
"righteous decree" (4x) "righteous decrees" (1x) "regulations" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from δικαιόω; an equitable deed; by implication, a statute or decision:--judgment, justification, ordinance, righteousness.

Root Family

δικαίωμα (dikaiōma) — legal requirement, decree, righteous act, result of justification

Root δικ- to be right, to administer justice, to declare righteous

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1345-03 δικαιώματα dikaiomata N ACC N PL righteous acts just decrees just ordinances 5
G1345-01 δικαίωμα dikaioma N ACC N SG righteousness righteous decree righteous decree 3
G1345-02 δικαιώμασιν dikaiomasin N DAT N PL ordinances to righteous decrees righteous decrees 1
G1345-04 δικαιώματος dikaiomatos N GEN N SG act of righteousness of a righteous decree of a righteous decree 1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1345-02 Luke 1:6 δικαιώμασιν dikaiomasin N DAT N PL ordinances to righteous decrees righteous decrees
G1345-01 Romans 1:32 δικαίωμα dikaioma N ACC N SG righteous-requirement righteous decree righteous decree
G1345-03 Romans 2:26 δικαιώματα dikaiomata N ACC N PL righteous-requirements just decrees just ordinances
G1345-01 Romans 5:16 δικαίωμα dikaioma N ACC N SG justification righteous decree righteous decree
G1345-04 Romans 5:18 δικαιώματος dikaiomatos N GEN N SG act of righteousness of a righteous decree of a righteous decree
G1345-01 Romans 8:4 δικαίωμα dikaioma N NOM N SG righteousness righteous decree righteous decree
G1345-03 Hebrews 9:1 δικαιώματα dikaiomata N ACC N PL regulations just decrees just ordinances
G1345-03 Hebrews 9:10 δικαιώματα dikaiomata N NOM N PL ordinances just decrees regulations
G1345-03 Revelation 15:4 δικαιώματά dikaiomata N NOM N PL righteous acts just decrees just ordinances
G1345-03 Revelation 19:8 δικαιώματα dikaiomata N NOM N PL righteous acts just decrees just ordinances
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