ἄγαμος
ágamos
G22 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Unmarried, not in a marital relationship (of one who has never married or is not currently married); used to describe those who are not joined in marriage, in contrast to married persons. In broader contexts, includes both those who have never married and those formerly married (such as widowers or widows) who are not currently in such a relationship.
Semantic Range
unmarried, not married, single (male or female), not currently married, one who has never married, widower/widow (not currently married)
Root / Etymology
From the privative prefix ἀ- (a-, 'not') and γάμος ('marriage, wedding'), literally meaning 'not married' or 'without marriage.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἄγαμος first appears in Koine Greek, with scant evidence in earlier Classical literature. Its use is attested in Hellenistic and later Greek, including in the New Testament (e.g., 1 Corinthians 7) and some post-classical writers. The term may apply to both men and women, and both never-married individuals and those who are not currently married for any reason (including widowers/widows). In some New Testament contexts, ἄγαμος can refer specifically to widowers, distinguished from παρθένος ('virgin'), which customarily designates those who have never married. English translations typically render ἄγαμος as 'unmarried' or 'single,' but this may obscure nuances regarding previous marital status. Unlike some parallel Greek terms (πάρθενος, χήρα), ἄγαμος is gender-inclusive and covers a range of non-married statuses. The term does not carry explicit moral or religious connotations but simply denotes marital status.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from Α (as a negative particle) and γάμος; unmarried:--unmarried.
Root Family
ἄγαμος (agamos) — unmarried, without marriage, not joined in marriage
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G22-02 |
ἄγαμος | agamos | N NOM F SG |
unmarried | unmarried woman | unmarried | 3 |
G22-01 |
ἀγάμοις | agamois | N DAT M PL |
unmarried | to unmarried men | unmarried | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G22-01 |
1 Corinthians 7:8 | ἀγάμοις | agamois | N DAT M PL |
unmarried | to unmarried men | unmarried |
G22-02 |
1 Corinthians 7:11 | ἄγαμος | agamos | N NOM F SG |
unmarried | unmarried woman | unmarried |
G22-02 |
1 Corinthians 7:32 | ἄγαμος | agamos | N NOM M SG |
unmarried man | unmarried woman | unmarried man |
G22-02 |
1 Corinthians 7:33 | ἄγαμος | agamos | N NOM F SG |
unmarried | unmarried woman | unmarried woman |