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ἄλαλος

álalos

G216 attributive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Unable to speak; mute, speechless. Primarily denotes a lack of ability to articulate speech, often specifically the permanent or congenital inability to speak. By extension, it may describe a sudden or temporary loss of speech due to shock, awe, or another overpowering reason, but almost always implies a physiological or neurological cause in Greek contexts.

Semantic Range

mute, speechless, unable to speak, deprived of speech (permanently or congenitally), rendered speechless (by condition or circumstance)

Root / Etymology

From the prefix α-, a negative particle meaning 'not,' and λαλέω, meaning 'to speak' or 'to talk'; literally, 'not-speaking.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

ἄλαλος is a rare Koine term, with attestation in medical and literary Greek for referring to those unable to speak. In the New Testament (e.g., Mk 7:37), it describes individuals with a congenital or pathological inability to speak, often paired with 'deaf' (κωφός), reflecting a distinction between being unable to hear and unable to produce speech. In LXX and Hellenistic sources, the word does not carry figurative overtones (e.g., as metaphorical silence), but is primarily clinical or descriptive. English translations usually render as 'mute' or 'dumb,' though 'dumb' can carry pejorative connotations in modern use not present in the Greek. The term contrasts with σιωπῶν (being silent, by choice or command), which denotes voluntary silence. Ἄλαλος focuses on the incapacity for articulate speech rather than self-imposed silence or mere quietness.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from Α (as a negative particle) and λαλέω; mute:--dumb.

Root Family

ἄλαλος (alalos) — not-speaking, mute, unable to speak, speechless

Root λαλ- to speak, to talk

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G216-01 ἄλαλον alalon ADJ.A ACC N SG mute mute mute 2
G216-02 ἀλάλους alalous ADJ.S ACC M PL the mute mute ones mute ones 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G216-02 Mark 7:37 ἀλάλους alalous ADJ.S ACC M PL the mute mute ones mute ones
G216-01 Mark 9:17 ἄλαλον alalon ADJ.A ACC N SG mute mute mute
G216-01 Mark 9:25 ἄλαλον alalon ADJ.A VOC N SG mute mute mute
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