ἄκακος
ákakos
G172 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Primarily: innocent, without malice, untainted by evil intent or wrongdoing; also, lacking deceit or craftiness. The term describes someone who is not disposed to harm or ill, and by extension, may characterize persons who are guileless, unsuspecting, or genuinely well-intentioned in their actions or attitudes.
Semantic Range
innocent, guileless, without malice, harmless, unsuspecting, untainted by evil, lacking deceit, simple
Root / Etymology
From the prefix ἀ- (a-, marking negation: 'not') and κακός (kakos, 'bad', 'evil', 'harmful'), so literally 'not evil' or 'not bad'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἄκακος denotes a lack of malice or wickedness, and can refer to innocence or purity of character. In Hellenistic and Koine usage, it further acquires nuances of guilelessness or naiveté—those who are unsuspecting or unguarded, often contrasted with people who are cunning or malicious. In the Septuagint, the term is sometimes used for those not participating in wrongdoing (cf. Psalm 26:10 LXX). In New Testament contexts (e.g., Hebrews 7:26; Matthew 10:16), ἄκακος describes both the moral blamelessness of figures like the high priest and the recommended attitude for disciples, emphasizing non-aggression and freedom from spite, but also a kind of innocence that can entail vulnerability to deception. English translations vary between 'innocent', 'harmless', 'guileless', or 'simple', though none capture all shades present in Greek. Unlike ἁγνός ('pure'), which emphasizes ritual or moral cleanliness, ἄκακος centers on the absence of harmful motive or malice.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from Α (as a negative particle) and κακός; not bad, i.e. (objectively) innocent or (subjectively) unsuspecting:--harmless, simple.
Root Family
ἄκακος (akakos) — not evil, innocent, without malice, harmless
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G172-02 |
ἄκακος | akakos | ADJ.S NOM M SG |
innocent | innocent one | innocent | 1 |
G172-01 |
ἀκάκων | akakon | ADJ.S GEN M PL |
innocent | of innocent ones | innocent ones | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G172-01 |
Romans 16:18 | ἀκάκων | akakon | ADJ.S GEN M PL |
innocent | of innocent ones | innocent ones |
G172-02 |
Hebrews 7:26 | ἄκακος | akakos | ADJ.S NOM M SG |
innocent | innocent one | innocent |