ἱλαρός
hilarós
G2431 attributive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Cheerful, glad, marked by a joyful or readily willing disposition; describes someone or something exhibiting a positive, generous, or eager attitude, particularly in the context of action (e.g., giving or serving) performed with pleasure or readiness rather than reluctance. In some contexts, can extend to mean gracious or favorably disposed.
Semantic Range
cheerful, glad-hearted, eager, willing, disposed to act with pleasure, gracious, prompt to give or do
Root / Etymology
From the root ἵλεως (híleōs), meaning 'gracious, merciful, propitious.' The stem ἱλαρ- relates to being cheerful, visibly pleased, or disposed to act with favor. Related terms are ἱλαρότης (cheerfulness) and the Latin 'hilaris,' from which English 'hilarious' is derived.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἱλαρός commonly described people, moods, or actions that were bright, cheerful, or gladsome—often connoting an open and generous spirit. By Hellenistic and Koine periods, including New Testament contexts (e.g., 2 Corinthians 9:7), it described the ideal attitude for giving: not under compulsion but freely and gladly. The English 'cheerful' captures much of this sense, but 'eagerly willing,' 'glad-hearted,' or 'freely disposed' also convey aspects of the semantic range. Unlike ἵλεως, which centers on being propitious or gracious in a judicial or divine context, ἱλαρός emphasizes the human emotional state or inclination of joyfulness in action. The development of related words (e.g., ἱλαρότης in the LXX) broadly follows this sense of visible or internal cheerfulness/willingness. Standard English translations sometimes render ἱλαρός as 'cheerful' or 'willing,' but they can understate the robust, heartily joyful nuance present in Greek usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as ἵλεως; propitious or merry ("hilarious"), i.e. prompt or willing:--cheerful.
Root Family
ἱλαρός (hilaros) — cheerful, glad, willing, favorably disposed
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2431-01 |
ἱλαρὸν | ilaron | ADJ.A ACC M SG |
cheerfully willing | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2431-01 |
2 Corinthians 9:7 | ἱλαρὸν | ilaron | ADJ.A ACC M SG |
cheerfully willing |