ἀκροατής (G202) — Greek Lexicon

ἀκροατής

akroatḗs

G202 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

One who listens attentively; specifically, a hearer—someone who receives information orally. The term can denote a person who is part of an audience, a student or pupil who listens to instruction, or, contextually, a participant who listens passively but does not necessarily act on what is heard. In some contexts, especially in moral or philosophical discourse, it can imply merely hearing without responding or acting on the message.

Semantic Range

hearer, listener, member of an audience, pupil, one who listens but may not act, passive recipient of instruction

Root / Etymology

From the root ἀκροα- (from ἀκούω, 'to hear' or 'to listen'), with the agent suffix -τής, forming a noun denoting a person who engages in the act of listening. The formation parallels other agent nouns in Greek. No foreign derivation; etymology is transparent within Greek.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀκροατής appears in rhetorical, philosophical, and educational contexts, referring to an audience member, pupil, or one who is hearing discourse—often with the nuance of attentiveness. In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, including the New Testament (e.g., James 1:22–23, Romans 2:13), the term can carry the distinction between someone who merely listens and someone who responds or acts. The semantic nuance is sometimes contrasted with ποιητής ('doer,' practitioner). In philosophical or moral exhortation, being merely an ἀκροατής may carry an implicit criticism of passivity. Standard English translations such as 'hearer' do not always express this nuanced distinction between attentive listenership and lack of responsive action. The term is not specific to religious or ritual hearing but is a general term for any sort of listener or audience member.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from (to listen; apparently an intensive of ἀκούω); a hearer (merely):--hearer.

Root Family

ἀκροατής (akroatēs) — hearer, listener, member of an audience, pupil

Root ἀκροα- to hear, to listen, to be part of an audience

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G202-02`	ἀκροατὴς	akroates	`N NOM M SG`	hearer	attentive hearer	attentive hearer	2
`G202-01`	ἀκροαταὶ	akroatai	`N NOM M PL`	hearers	listeners	hearers	2

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G202-01`	Romans 2:13	ἀκροαταὶ	akroatai	`N NOM M PL`	hearers	listeners	listeners
`G202-01`	James 1:22	ἀκροαταὶ	akroatai	`N NOM M PL`	hearers	listeners	hearers
`G202-02`	James 1:23	ἀκροατὴς	akroates	`N NOM M SG`	hearer	attentive hearer	hearer
`G202-02`	James 1:25	ἀκροατὴς	akroates	`N NOM M SG`	hearer	attentive hearer	attentive hearer

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