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εἰκῆ

eikē

G1500 adverb

SILEX Entry

Definition

Without cause, reason, justification, or sufficient motive; acting or occurring without legitimate purpose or in a manner that is groundless or futile. Typically used to describe actions, statements, or states that lack appropriate basis or are performed rashly, arbitrarily, or in vain. The adverb indicates the absence of true or reasonable grounds for an action or assertion.

Semantic Range

without cause, without reason, unjustifiably, groundlessly, arbitrarily, rashly, vainly, for no (good) reason, without purpose

Root / Etymology

Derived from the verb εἴκω ('to yield, give way') but the semantic development from this root is debated; in adverbial form εἰκῆ came to denote action 'without strong reason' or 'arbitrarily.' The exact process how this sense emerged is uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, εἰκῆ commonly describes action undertaken without thought, plan, or proper deliberation—'at random,' 'rashly,' or 'without purpose.' In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including New Testament usage (e.g., Matt 5:22), the term signifies doing something 'without cause' or 'groundlessly.' The LXX uses it for actions done 'for no reason' or 'in vain,' often translating Hebrew terms like חִנָּם (ḥinnām, 'without payment, for nothing'). In legal, rhetorical, and ethical writings, εἰκῆ marks improper or unreasonable acts, contrasting with actions 'κατὰ λόγον' (in accordance with reason). Standard English translations as 'without a cause' or 'in vain' sometimes obscure the nuance of arbitrariness or lack of justification inherent in the Greek. The word does not simply mean 'vainly' as 'futile,' but more broadly entails the lack of legitimate or deliberated purpose behind the act or accusation. The sense development reflects both cognitive (without proper reasoning) and practical (lacking effect or justification) shades of meaning.

Translation Consistency

primary "needlessly" 6 occurrences

As an adverb meaning ‘without cause, without reason, or in vain,’ ‘needlessly’ is the most natural, contemporary single-word rendering that covers the typical senses (unjustifiably, for no good reason, futilely). It better fits modern English than the more archaic ‘vainly’ and is preferable to the prepositional phrase ‘without’ for consistent single-word use.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably from εἴκω (through the idea of failure); idly, i.e. without reason (or effect):--without a cause, (in) vain(-ly).

Root Family

εἴκ- (eikē) — to yield, to give way, to act without justification

Root εἴκ- to yield, to give way, to act without justification
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1502 εἴκω we yielded
G1503 εἴκω has given way
G1933 ἐπιεικής equitable one
G5226 ὑπείκω yield yourselves

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1500-01 εἰκῇ eike ADV in vain without cause needlessly 6

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1500-01 Romans 13:4 εἰκῇ eike ADV in vain without cause needlessly
G1500-01 1 Corinthians 15:2 εἰκῇ eike ADV in vain without cause needlessly
G1500-01 Galatians 3:4 εἰκῇ eike ADV in vain without cause needlessly
G1500-01 Galatians 3:4 εἰκῇ eike-2 ADV in vain without cause needlessly
G1500-01 Galatians 4:11 εἰκῇ eike ADV in vain without cause needlessly
G1500-01 Colossians 2:18 εἰκῇ eike ADV vainly without cause needlessly
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