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ἕξις

héxis

G1838 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A state, condition, or disposition resulting from a consistent manner of being or acting; primarily, a fixed state acquired by repetition or practice (habit). In philosophical and medical contexts, refers to an acquired state of character, a stable disposition, or habitual condition of body or mind. In broader Greek usage, may refer to a physical or moral state, or a posture.

Semantic Range

habit, acquired state, disposition, constitution (of body or mind), stable character trait, practiced condition; in philosophy: virtue or vice as acquired disposition; in medicine: habitual bodily state; in New Testament: moral or practical capacity acquired by exercise

Root / Etymology

From ἔχω ('to have, to hold'); formed with the -σις suffix, indicating a condition or state derived from the verb.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἕξις refers widely to an acquired condition, both physical (e.g., bodily habitus, constitution) and moral (e.g., a stable character trait, virtue or vice). Aristotle uses ἕξις extensively for a stable disposition, especially in ethical philosophy — a state that results from repeated action and that makes subsequent action of the same kind easier, such as a virtuous habit. In Hellenistic medical literature, indicates the constitution or habitual condition of the body. In the New Testament (Heb 5:14), ἕξις takes on the sense of acquired moral or practical ability through habitual use or practice. The English tradition ‘use’ (as in KJV Hebrews 5:14) narrows the term, overlooking its broader sense of stable disposition. The term does not inherently carry moral connotation, but refers to any habitual or dispositional state. Distinct from ἔθος (custom, usage), which refers to customary practice rather than settled inner state.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἔχω; habit, i.e. (by implication) practice:--use.

Root Family

ἕξις (hexis) — acquired state, habit, disposition, stable condition

Root ἔχ- to have, to hold, to possess

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1838-01 ἕξιν exin N ACC F SG habit acquired disposition acquired disposition 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1838-01 Hebrews 5:14 ἕξιν exin N ACC F SG habit acquired disposition acquired disposition
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