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ἀκάθαρτος

akáthartos

G169 attributive adjective

SILEX Entry

Root καθαρ- not pure, unclean, defiled

Definition

Not clean; in a ritual, moral, or spiritual sense: unclean, impure. The term may denote ritual impurity (as defined by purity laws), moral impurity (ethical defilement), or spiritual impurity (especially in relation to unclean spirits or powers). In the New Testament, it commonly refers both to persons, objects, or foods that are not ritually clean, and to malevolent spiritual beings considered defiling or outside God's order.

Semantic Range

not clean, ritually impure, ceremonially unclean, morally impure, ethically defiled, spiritually impure, possessed or controlled by an impure power, foul

Root / Etymology

From the negative prefix ἀ- ('not') and καθαρός ('clean, pure'). Thus, 'not pure.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀκάθαρτος is rare but appears in medical, ritual, and philosophical contexts to describe physical or moral impurity. In the Septuagint, it frequently translates Hebrew טָמֵא (tāmēʼ), which refers to ritual impurity according to Israelite law (e.g., objects, animals, persons, or events that render one ritually unfit). In Hellenistic and Second Temple contexts, its use expands to include broader concepts of pollution and uncleanness, including demonic or supernatural agents. In the New Testament, the word often describes impure spirits (πνεύματα ἀκάθαρτα) that afflict people, as well as ritually impure objects, foods, or actions. Standard English translations usually render the term as 'unclean' or 'foul,' but often do not differentiate between ritual, moral, or spiritual impurity. The close association with purity law and demonic powers highlights its significance in ancient Jewish and early Christian discourse.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from Α (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of καθαίρω (meaning cleansed); impure (ceremonially, morally (lewd) or specially, (demonic)):--foul, unclean.

Root Family

ἀκάθαρτος (akathartos) — not pure, unclean, defiled

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G169-04 ἀκαθάρτων akatharton ADJ.A GEN N PL unclean of unclean things 13
G169-01 ἀκάθαρτα akatharta ADJ.R NOM N PL unclean unclean things 6
G169-02 ἀκαθάρτῳ akatharto ADJ.A DAT N SG unclean to an unclean thing 5
G169-06 ἀκαθάρτου akathartou ADJ.A GEN N SG unclean of the unclean 4
G169-03 ἀκαθάρτοις akathartois ADJ.R DAT N PL unclean to unclean things 2
G169-05 ἀκάθαρτος akathartos ADJ.S NOM M SG unclean unclean 1

Occurrences in Scripture

31 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G169-04 Matthew 10:1 ἀκαθάρτων akatharton ADJ.A GEN N PL of unclean things
G169-04 Matthew 12:43 ἀκάθαρτον akatharton ADJ.A NOM N SG of unclean things
G169-02 Mark 1:23 ἀκαθάρτῳ akatharto ADJ.A DAT N SG unclean to an unclean thing
G169-04 Mark 1:26 ἀκάθαρτον akatharton ADJ.R NOM N SG unclean of unclean things
G169-03 Mark 1:27 ἀκαθάρτοις akathartois ADJ.R DAT N PL unclean to unclean things
G169-01 Mark 3:11 ἀκάθαρτα akatharta ADJ.R NOM N PL unclean unclean things
G169-04 Mark 3:30 ἀκάθαρτον akatharton ADJ.A ACC N SG unclean of unclean things
G169-02 Mark 5:2 ἀκαθάρτῳ akatharto ADJ.A DAT N SG unclean to an unclean thing
G169-04 Mark 5:8 ἀκάθαρτον akatharton ADJ.R VOC N SG unclean of unclean things
G169-01 Mark 5:13 ἀκάθαρτα akatharta ADJ.R NOM N PL unclean unclean things
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