αἰσχρότης
aischrótēs
G151 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Shamefulness; the quality of being disgraceful or morally inappropriate, particularly in speech or behavior. In Koine usage, often denotes obscenity, lewdness, or conduct considered indecent according to social norms. Extended to cover anything deemed disgraceful or offensive to decency within the context of Hellenistic or Israelite-Judean ethical expectations.
Semantic Range
shamefulness, obscenity, base behavior, indecency, improper or disgraceful conduct, offensive speech or language, lewdness
Root / Etymology
From the adjective αἰσχρός (aischros), meaning 'shameful, base, ugly.' Formed with the noun-suffix -της, indicating a state or quality. Thus, αἰσχρότης conveys the state or quality of being αἰσχρός (shameful or base).
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested in classical and Hellenistic Greek for disgraceful conduct, often sexual or verbal impropriety, but more broadly for any kind of base or socially condemned behavior. In the New Testament (Ephesians 5:4), refers specifically to shameful or obscene speech, contrasting with appropriate or wholesome discourse. In the broader Greco-Roman world, the term frequently covered coarse jokes, foul language, and actions violating public decorum. English translation as 'filthiness' (KJV) or 'obscenity' (NRSV) captures the stronger end of the semantic spectrum but may miss the broader concept of disgraceful behavior (not solely sexual or verbal impropriety). Not a technical ethical term but an evaluative descriptor for what contextually violates honor or decency.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from αἰσχρός; shamefulness, i.e. obscenity:--filthiness.
Root Family
αἰσχρότης (aischrotēs) — shame, disgrace, baseness
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G151-01 |
αἰσχρότης | aischrotes | N NOM F SG |
filthiness | shamefulness | shamefulness | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G151-01 |
Ephesians 5:4 | αἰσχρότης | aischrotes | N NOM F SG |
filthiness | shamefulness | shamefulness |