αἰτία (G156) — Greek Lexicon

αἰτία

aitía

G156 noun

SILEX Entry

Root αἰτ- to ask, to demand, cause, reason

Definition

Primarily, 'cause' or 'reason'—the underlying basis for an event, action, or state; also 'motive' or 'grounds.' In legal or forensic contexts, denotes 'charge,' 'accusation,' or 'case' presented against someone. Can signify either the cause for praise or blame, and may extend to mean 'fault' or 'offense.'

Semantic Range

cause, reason, ground, motive, basis, accusation, charge, allegation, case (in legal/judicial contexts), fault, offense

Root / Etymology

From the root αἰτ- (‘to ask, to demand’), related to αἰτέω (“to ask, request”). The development runs from ‘that which is asked or inquired about’ to the idea of a ‘reason’ or ‘cause’ for something, and further to the legal reference of an 'accusation' or 'charge.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, αἰτία often expresses the philosophical concept of 'cause,' as in Aristotle’s four causes (e.g., material, formal, efficient, final). In legal and rhetorical contexts (from classical to Koine periods), commonly used for ‘charge brought against someone’ or ‘grounds for accusation or defense.’ In the Septuagint (LXX), αἰτία generally renders Hebrew terms for reason or guilt, highlighting fault or ground for indictment. In the New Testament, often employed in forensic or judicial contexts—referring to the charges laid against Jesus or the apostles, for example (e.g., John 19:4, Luke 23:4). English translations may obscure the breadth of the term by rendering it as 'accusation' or 'crime,' when the sense can be broader, encompassing any grounds or cause, not only a criminal charge.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the same as αἰτέω; a cause (as if asked for), i.e. (logical) reason (motive, matter), (legal) crime (alleged or proved):--accusation, case, cause, crime, fault, (wh-)ere(-fore).

Root Family

αἰτία (aitia) — cause, reason, ground, motive, accusation, charge

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`G156-02`	αἰτίαν	aitian	`N ACC F SG`	reason	a cause	16
`G156-03`	αἰτίας	aitias	`N GEN F SG`	charge	of a cause	2
`G156-01`	αἰτία	aitia	`N NOM F SG`	cause	cause	2

Occurrences in Scripture

20 total occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`G156-02`	Matthew 19:3	αἰτίαν	aitian	`N ACC F SG`		a cause
`G156-01`	Matthew 19:10	αἰτία	aitia	`N NOM F SG`		cause
`G156-02`	Matthew 27:37	αἰτίαν	aitian	`N ACC F SG`		a cause
`G156-03`	Mark 15:26	αἰτίας	aitias	`N GEN F SG`	charge	of a cause
`G156-02`	Luke 8:47	αἰτίαν	aitian	`N ACC F SG`	reason	a cause
`G156-02`	John 18:38	αἰτίαν	aitian	`N ACC F SG`	fault	a cause
`G156-02`	John 19:4	αἰτίαν	aitian	`N ACC F SG`	fault	a cause
`G156-02`	John 19:6	αἰτίαν	aitian	`N ACC F SG`	fault	a cause
`G156-01`	Acts 10:21	αἰτία	aitia	`N NOM F SG`	cause	cause
`G156-02`	Acts 13:28	αἰτίαν	aitian	`N ACC F SG`	cause	a cause
`G156-02`	Acts 22:24	αἰτίαν	aitian	`N ACC F SG`	cause	a cause
`G156-02`	Acts 23:28	αἰτίαν	aitian	`N ACC F SG`	cause	a cause
`G156-02`	Acts 25:18	αἰτίαν	aitian	`N ACC F SG`	charge	a cause
`G156-03`	Acts 25:27	αἰτίας	aitias	`N ACC F PL`	charges	of a cause
`G156-02`	Acts 28:18	αἰτίαν	aitian	`N ACC F SG`	cause	a cause
`G156-02`	Acts 28:20	αἰτίαν	aitian	`N ACC F SG`	reason	a cause
`G156-02`	2 Timothy 1:6	αἰτίαν	aitian	`N ACC F SG`	reason	a cause
`G156-02`	2 Timothy 1:12	αἰτίαν	aitian	`N ACC F SG`	I also	a cause
`G156-02`	Titus 1:13	αἰτίαν	aitian	`N ACC F SG`	reason	a cause
`G156-02`	Hebrews 2:11	αἰτίαν	aitian	`N ACC F SG`		a cause

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