ἐλεύθερος
eleútheros
G1658 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Primarily, not bound or owned by another; one who is free in legal or social status. In various contexts, refers to an individual who is not a slave, whether by birth (freeborn) or by manumission; also denotes exemption from obligation, constraints, or external control. In extended senses, may refer to acting according to one's own will or being unconstrained. In philosophical literature, can apply to the mind or will, i.e., 'free' in disposition or judgment.
Semantic Range
free (not a slave), freeborn, manumitted, at liberty, exempt from obligation or liability, acting at one's own discretion, free in mind or will, liberated (metaphorical), unrestricted
Root / Etymology
Root: ἐλεύθ-, of uncertain origin. Not etymologically derived from ἔρχομαι ('to go, come'), despite ancient speculation; the precise origin is debated, possibly pre-Greek (i.e., non-Indo-European).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἐλεύθερος contrasted with δοῦλος ('slave') and denoted full legal and social standing, such as the rights of a free citizen. In Hellenistic and New Testament literature, it retains this contrast but is often used in broader or metaphorical senses, such as 'free from sin', 'free from the law', or 'free from constraint'. The term is applied both to women and men, emphasizing legal status rather than gender. In Stoic and philosophical contexts, ἐλεύθερος also described moral autonomy or inner freedom. The English translation 'free' captures the basic legal meaning, but in New Testament texts, ἐλεύθερος is sometimes used to refer to liberation from spiritual, religious, or social bondage—contexts not always rendered in translation. The Septuagint uses ἐλεύθερος to translate various Hebrew terms referring to those not in bondage. Distinct from terms like ἄνευ ('without') or ἄφρων ('unrestrained, foolish'), which connote lack of restraint without the legal or civic sense of freedom.
Translation Consistency
Eleútheros is most naturally and commonly rendered as “free” (not a slave; at liberty; exempt; acting on one’s own). “Free” covers the primary literal and extended senses (freeborn, manumitted, liberated, unrestricted) in simple, natural English and matches the vast majority of existing renderings.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably from the alternate of ἔρχομαι; unrestrained (to go at pleasure), i.e. (as a citizen) not a slave (whether freeborn or manumitted), or (genitive case) exempt (from obligation or liability):--free (man, woman), at liberty.
Root Family
ἐλεύθερος (eleutheros) — free, not bound, unrestrained, not enslaved
Word Forms
6 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1658-05 |
ἐλεύθερος | eleutheros | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
free | a free man | a free man | 8 |
G1658-03 |
ἐλεύθεροί | eleutheroi | ADJ.P NOM M PL |
free | free men | free men | 6 |
G1658-02 |
ἐλευθέρας | eleutheras | ADJ.S GEN F SG |
free woman | of a free woman | of a free woman | 4 |
G1658-01 |
ἐλευθέρα | eleuthera | ADJ.P NOM F SG |
free | free (feminine singular) | free | 3 |
G1658-06 |
ἐλευθέρους | eleutherous | ADJ.S ACC M PL |
free | free men | free | 1 |
G1658-04 |
ἐλευθέρων | eleutheron | ADJ.S GEN M PL |
free | of free men | of free men | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
23 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1658-03 |
Matthew 17:26 | ἐλεύθεροί | eleutheroi | ADJ.P NOM M PL |
free | free men | free men |
G1658-03 |
John 8:33 | ἐλεύθεροι | eleutheroi | ADJ.P NOM M PL |
free | free men | free men |
G1658-03 |
John 8:36 | ἐλεύθεροι | eleutheroi | ADJ.P NOM M PL |
free | free men | free men |
G1658-03 |
Romans 6:20 | ἐλεύθεροι | eleutheroi | ADJ.P NOM M PL |
free | free men | free men |
G1658-01 |
Romans 7:3 | ἐλευθέρα | eleuthera | ADJ.P NOM F SG |
free | free (feminine singular) | free |
G1658-05 |
1 Corinthians 7:21 | ἐλεύθερος | eleutheros | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
free | a free man | a free man |
G1658-05 |
1 Corinthians 7:22 | ἐλεύθερος | eleutheros | ADJ.S NOM M SG |
free | a free man | a free man |
G1658-01 |
1 Corinthians 7:39 | ἐλευθέρα | eleuthera | ADJ.P NOM F SG |
free | free (feminine singular) | free |
G1658-05 |
1 Corinthians 9:1 | ἐλεύθερος | eleutheros | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
free | a free man | a free man |
G1658-05 |
1 Corinthians 9:19 | ἐλεύθερος | eleutheros | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
free | a free man | a free man |