ἔνδικος
éndikos
G1738 predicate adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Just, righteous, acting or being in accordance with what is right, fair, or appropriate; denotes conformity to recognized standards of justice or propriety. Can also refer to something well-founded, legitimate, or deserved in a legal or moral sense.
Semantic Range
just, equitable, rightful, deserved, appropriate, legitimate, in accordance with justice
Root / Etymology
From ἐν (en, 'in') and δίκη (dikē, 'justice, right, custom'), literally 'being in justice,' hence 'just' or 'in accordance with justice.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἔνδικος is attested in classical and later Greek literature, typically describing persons, actions, or circumstances as fitting within the bounds of what is deemed just by law or custom. In legal language, it refers to a claim or punishment as deserved, justified, or legitimate. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the New Testament (e.g., Romans 3:8), it conveys the sense of 'just' or 'deserved'—often regarding punishment or retribution as rightfully due. The term can nuance both subjective (personal fairness) and objective (legal standing) perspectives on justice, distinct from δίκαιος (dikaios), which more broadly denotes uprightness or general righteousness. Standard English translations such as 'just,' 'rightful,' or 'equitable' capture aspects, but the Greek may more strongly signal the appropriateness of a result or judgment, especially in a legal context. The semantic range did not undergo significant change from classical to Koine periods, but in Jewish and Christian Hellenistic writing it can emphasize deservedness of judgment or sentence.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐν and δίκη; in the right, i.e. equitable:--just.
Root Family
δίκ- (ekdíkēsis) — justice, right, judgment, to justify, to exact justice
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G1557 | ἐκδίκησις | of executed justice |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1738-01 |
ἔνδικόν | endikon | ADJ.P NOM N SG |
just | just | just | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1738-01 |
Romans 3:8 | ἔνδικόν | endikon | ADJ.P NOM N SG |
just | just | just |
G1738-01 |
Hebrews 2:2 | ἔνδικον | endikon | ADJ.A ACC F SG |
just | just | just |