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ἀληθινός

alēthinós

G228 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Pertaining to that which is real, genuine, or corresponding to actual state; (1) true in the sense of having the quality of truth, as opposed to what is false, spurious, or mere appearance; (2) genuine or authentic, not counterfeit; (3) in some contexts, metaphysically real or ultimate (contrasted with what is symbolic, provisional, or shadowy), especially in philosophical or theological discourse. The word can describe persons (as truthful or sincere), objects (as genuine or authentic), or abstract realities (as fully real in a way that mere images or representations are not).

Semantic Range

true (in actual fact), genuine, real (as opposed to symbolic or unreal), authentic, not spurious, not counterfeit, fully corresponding to reality

Root / Etymology

Derived from ἀληθής (alēthēs, 'true'), itself from ἀ- (a-, negative prefix) + λήθη (lēthē, 'forgetfulness, concealment'), so 'unhidden, not concealed.' The suffix -ινός (-inos) forms adjectives indicating belonging or being characteristic of. ἀληθινός thus means 'of or pertaining to the quality of being true or real.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In pre-Koine and Classical Greek, ἀληθινός is rare compared to ἀληθής, but when it appears, it often emphasizes authenticity or reality versus imitation or falsehood. In Koine Greek (including the Septuagint and New Testament), ἀληθινός is frequently used in contrast with what is symbolic, partial, or unreal. For example, in the Johannine literature, 'the true light,' 'the true bread,' 'the true vine' present the idea of ultimate or final reality over and against preliminary or anticipatory figures. ἀληθινός sometimes takes on a metaphysical nuance, especially under Hellenistic philosophical and Platonic influence, where it can denote what is substantially real as opposed to shadow or type. The term can also translate Hebrew terms for 'faithful,' 'genuine,' or 'real' in the Septuagint. In English translations, 'true' or 'real' is often used, but this does not always capture the contrast with 'counterfeit' or 'merely symbolic' that may be present contextually; 'genuine' or 'authentic' may sometimes better reflect the nuance. ἀληθινός can overlap semantically with ἀληθής, but ἀληθινός often focuses more on genuineness as opposed to mere apparentness or imitation.

Translation Consistency

primary "true" 24 occurrences

'alēthinós' most commonly and naturally renders as the adjective 'true' in English, covering the primary senses in the SILEX range (real, genuine, authentic, not spurious). 'True' is the most frequent and versatile choice across contexts (persons, objects, abstract realities), so it ensures consistent, natural-sounding translation for every form of G228.

Alternatives (4 occurrences):
"genuine ones" (4x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀληθής; truthful:--true.

Root Family

ἀληθινός (alēthinos) — true, real, genuine, authentic, not concealed

Root ἀληθ- to be true, to be real, to reveal

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G228-07 ἀληθινὸς alethinos ADJ.P NOM M SG true genuine, real the true one 7
G228-06 ἀληθινὸν alethinon ADJ.S ACC N SG true the genuine reality the true reality 7
G228-05 ἀληθινοὶ alethinoi ADJ.A NOM M PL true genuine ones genuine ones 4
G228-02 ἀληθινή alethine ADJ.P NOM F SG true fully real true 3
G228-01 ἀληθιναὶ alethinai ADJ.S NOM F PL true genuine ones true 3
G228-03 ἀληθινῆς alethines ADJ.R GEN F SG true of the genuine true 2
G228-04 ἀληθινῷ alethino ADJ.S DAT M SG True to the genuine one the true one 2

Occurrences in Scripture

28 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G228-06 Luke 16:11 ἀληθινὸν alethinon ADJ.S ACC N SG true the genuine reality the true reality
G228-06 John 1:9 ἀληθινὸν alethinon ADJ.R NOM N SG true the genuine reality the true reality
G228-05 John 4:23 ἀληθινοὶ alethinoi ADJ.A NOM M PL true genuine ones genuine ones
G228-07 John 4:37 ἀληθινὸς alethinos ADJ.P NOM M SG true genuine, real the true one
G228-06 John 6:32 ἀληθινόν alethinon ADJ.R ACC M SG true the genuine reality the true
G228-07 John 7:28 ἀληθινὸς alethinos ADJ.P NOM M SG true genuine, real the true one
G228-02 John 8:16 ἀληθινή alethine ADJ.P NOM F SG true fully real true
G228-02 John 15:1 ἀληθινή alethine ADJ.R NOM F SG true fully real true
G228-06 John 17:3 ἀληθινὸν alethinon ADJ.A ACC M SG true the genuine reality the true reality
G228-02 John 19:35 ἀληθινὴ alethine ADJ.P NOM F SG true fully real true
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