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ἐλευθερία

eleuthería

G1657 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

State of being free or having freedom; the condition in which one is not under compulsion, restraint, or subjection to another, especially in a social, political, legal, or moral sense. In different contexts, refers to the personal, civic, or religious freedom experienced by individuals or groups, and can also describe release from bondage, legal constraints, or ritual obligations (e.g., Torah observance, civic law, or enslavement).

Semantic Range

freedom from slavery or bondage, political or civic liberty, exemption from legal or ritual obligation, personal autonomy, moral release (especially from sin or spiritual bondage), general condition of being free

Root / Etymology

From ἐλεύθερος (eleutheros, 'free'), suffixed with -ία forming abstract nouns; ἐλευθερία as a noun signifies the quality or state of being free. No significant external etymological borrowing; derived within Greek.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἐλευθερία denoted political freedom, such as the liberty of a free citizen versus a slave, or the autonomy of a city-state. It carried strong civic and legal connotations, related to self-determination or self-government. In the Hellenistic and Roman periods—including the Septuagint and New Testament—its range expands to include personal, social, and moral dimensions. In the Septuagint, ἐλευθερία can translate Hebrew terms signifying 'freedom' from slavery or exile, as well as exemption from obligations. In the New Testament, the term often features in discussions of spiritual or moral freedom—freedom from sin, the law, or ritual constraints—but never implies unrestrained license. English translations as 'liberty' often fail to distinguish between political, social, and religious/moral senses, and can obscure the concept’s original range. Related terms include ἐλεύθερος ('free person') and δουλεία ('slavery, bondage'), highlighting antithetical states of being.

Translation Consistency

primary "freedom" 11 occurrences

The SILEX range centers on being free—personal, civic, legal, or spiritual—and the attested renderings overwhelmingly use “freedom.” “Freedom” is the most natural, common English noun to cover release from bondage, liberty, exemption from obligation, and moral/spiritual release, so it best fits the typical usage across contexts.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐλεύθερος; freedom (legitimate or licentious, chiefly moral or ceremonial):--liberty.

Root Family

ἐλευθερία (eleutheria) — freedom, release from constraint, liberty, exemption from bondage

Root ἐλευθερ- to be free, to be released from constraint or servitude

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1657-02 ἐλευθερίαν eleutherian N ACC F SG freedom freedom freedom 5
G1657-01 ἐλευθερία eleutheria N NOM F SG freedom freedom freedom 4
G1657-03 ἐλευθερίας eleutherias N GEN F SG liberty of freedom of freedom 2

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1657-02 Romans 8:21 ἐλευθερίαν eleutherian N ACC F SG freedom freedom freedom
G1657-01 1 Corinthians 10:29 ἐλευθερία eleutheria N NOM F SG freedom freedom freedom
G1657-01 2 Corinthians 3:17 ἐλευθερία eleutheria N NOM F SG freedom freedom freedom
G1657-02 Galatians 2:4 ἐλευθερίαν eleutherian N ACC F SG liberty freedom freedom
G1657-01 Galatians 5:1 ἐλευθερίᾳ eleutheria N DAT F SG freedom freedom freedom
G1657-01 Galatians 5:13 ἐλευθερίᾳ eleutheria N DAT F SG freedom freedom freedom
G1657-02 Galatians 5:13 ἐλευθερίαν eleutherian N ACC F SG freedom freedom freedom
G1657-03 James 1:25 ἐλευθερίας eleutherias N GEN F SG liberty of freedom of freedom
G1657-03 James 2:12 ἐλευθερίας eleutherias N GEN F SG liberty of freedom of freedom
G1657-02 1 Peter 2:16 ἐλευθερίαν eleutherian N ACC F SG freedom freedom freedom
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