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ἀληθής

alēthḗs

G227 predicate adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Genuine, actual, corresponding to fact or reality; in a broad sense, used to describe something or someone that is real as opposed to fictitious or counterfeit; in ethical or moral contexts, refers to honesty or trustworthiness, not deceptive or misleading; in reference to testimony, judgment, or statements, denotes accuracy and reliability. May also describe that which is open, unconcealed or manifest.

Semantic Range

true (not false or fictitious), real (genuine, actual), honest, trustworthy, open (not hidden), straightforward, accurate, reliable

Root / Etymology

From ἀ- (alpha privative, 'not') + λήθη ('forgetfulness', from λανθάνω, 'to be hidden, to escape notice')—literally, 'not hidden', hence 'manifest, open, true'. Related to the noun ἀλήθεια ('truth').

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀληθής was used to distinguish what is real or authentic from what is pretended or false, especially in rhetoric, philosophy, or historical narrative. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, and the Septuagint, it could describe both people ('honest, trustworthy'), abstract statements ('true, accurate'), and events ('genuine, actual'). In the New Testament, particularly in Johannine writings, it is used in both the ordinary factual/historical sense and in opposition to falsehood or deceit, sometimes carrying a deeper sense of aligned-with-God’s reality. English translations often render ἀληθής as 'true,' but this may not always capture the nuance of openness or authenticity captured by the Greek. Unlike related terms (e.g., πιστός 'faithful' or δίκαιος 'righteous'), ἀληθής focuses on the veracity or reality of what is described, not directly on loyalty or justice.

Translation Consistency

primary "true" 26 occurrences

"True" is the most natural, common English equivalent across the SILEX semantic range (true, real, genuine, honest, reliable, open). It already appears in all P2 renderings and comfortably covers both factual/ontological senses (real, genuine) and ethical/testimonial senses (honest, trustworthy) while remaining concise and easy to inflect or render in context.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from Α (as a negative particle) and λανθάνω; true (as not concealing):--true, truly, truth.

Root Family

ἀληθ- (alḗtheia) — to be true, to be unconcealed, to be genuine

Root ἀληθ- true, real, unconcealed
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G225 ἀλήθεια in truth
G226 ἀληθεύω the one acting truthfully
G228 ἀληθινός genuine ones
G230 ἀληθῶς truly

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G227-03 ἀληθὴς alethes ADJ.P NOM M SG true true one true one 20
G227-01 ἀληθῆ alethe ADJ.P NOM N PL true true things true things 4
G227-02 ἀληθεῖς aletheis ADJ.S NOM M PL true true ones true ones 1
G227-04 ἀληθοῦς alethous ADJ.A GEN F SG true of a true one true 1

Occurrences in Scripture

26 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G227-03 Matthew 22:16 ἀληθὴς alethes ADJ.P NOM M SG true true one true one
G227-03 Mark 12:14 ἀληθὴς alethes ADJ.P NOM M SG true true one true one
G227-03 John 3:33 ἀληθής alethes ADJ.P NOM M SG true true one true one
G227-03 John 4:18 ἀληθὲς alethes ADJ.S ACC N SG true true one true one
G227-03 John 5:31 ἀληθής alethes ADJ.P NOM F SG true true one true one
G227-03 John 5:32 ἀληθής alethes ADJ.P NOM F SG true true one true one
G227-03 John 6:55 ἀληθής alethes ADJ.S NOM F SG true true one true one
G227-03 John 6:55 ἀληθής alethes-2 ADJ.S NOM F SG true true one true one
G227-03 John 7:18 ἀληθής alethes ADJ.P NOM M SG true true one true one
G227-03 John 8:13 ἀληθής alethes ADJ.P NOM F SG true true one true one
G227-03 John 8:14 ἀληθής alethes ADJ.P NOM F SG true true one true one
G227-03 John 8:17 ἀληθής alethes ADJ.P NOM F SG true true one true one
G227-03 John 8:26 ἀληθής alethes ADJ.P NOM M SG is true true one true one
G227-01 John 10:41 ἀληθῆ alethe ADJ.P NOM N PL true true things true things
G227-01 John 19:35 ἀληθῆ alethe ADJ.S ACC N PL truth true things true things
G227-03 John 21:24 ἀληθὴς alethes ADJ.P NOM F SG true true one true one
G227-03 Acts 12:9 ἀληθές alethes ADJ.P NOM N SG true true one true one
G227-03 Romans 3:4 ἀληθής alethes ADJ.P NOM M SG true true one true one
G227-02 2 Corinthians 6:8 ἀληθεῖς aletheis ADJ.S NOM M PL true true ones true ones
G227-01 Philippians 4:8 ἀληθῆ alethe ADJ.P NOM N PL true true things true things
G227-03 Titus 1:13 ἀληθής alethes ADJ.P NOM F SG true true one true one
G227-01 1 Peter 5:12 ἀληθῆ alethe ADJ.A ACC F SG true true things true things
G227-04 2 Peter 2:22 ἀληθοῦς alethous ADJ.A GEN F SG true of a true one true
G227-03 1 John 2:8 ἀληθὲς alethes ADJ.P NOM N SG true true one true one
G227-03 1 John 2:27 ἀληθές alethes ADJ.P NOM N SG true true one true one
G227-03 3 John 1:12 ἀληθής alethes ADJ.P NOM F SG true true one true one
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