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ἐνδεής

endeḗs

G1729 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Primarily, 'lacking' or 'in need of'; describes a state of being deficient, wanting, or experiencing need with respect to something (material, moral, or other). Frequently used for persons or things that lack what is required or desired, particularly in matters of poverty or insufficiency.

Semantic Range

lacking, being in need, deficient, destitute, needy, lacking what is necessary (materially or morally), incomplete, wanting

Root / Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἐν ('in') and the verb δέω ('to lack, to need'), forming a compound that denotes being in a state of need or deficiency.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἐνδεής appears from at least the 5th century BCE, commonly referring to poverty, material lack, or general insufficiency. The word is often used of persons who are poor or needy, but can also be applied metaphorically to ideas or situations lacking some required quality. In the Septuagint, it is used to translate Hebrew terms denoting the poor or those in need (such as אֶבְיוֹן 'evyon' or דַל 'dal'). In the New Testament, it is relatively rare but retains a focus on material, social, or moral deficiency. English translations typically render ἐνδεής as 'lacking,' 'needy,' or 'wanting,' but the word's application can cover a broader sense of need or insufficiency than these glosses sometimes indicate. Related terms include πτωχός (destitute, poor) and ὑστερέω (to lack, to fall short), but ἐνδεής has a distinctive emphasis on the ongoing need, rather than absolute destitution or simple failure to attain.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a compound of ἐν and δέω (in the sense of lacking); deficient in:--lacking.

Root Family

ἐνδεής (endeēs) — to lack, to be deficient, to need

Root ἐν-δε- to lack, to be deficient, to need

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1729-01 ἐνδεής endees ADJ.S NOM M SG needy a needy one a needy one 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1729-01 Acts 4:34 ἐνδεής endees ADJ.S NOM M SG needy a needy one a needy one
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