κακοῦργος
kakoûrgos
G2557 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
A person who commits acts causing harm or crime, i.e., a criminal; in particular, someone engaged in wrongdoing that is punishable by law or social sanction. The term ranges from general wrongdoer to one convicted of a serious offense. In legal or penal contexts, refers specifically to one regarded as evil-doer or criminal by governing authorities.
Semantic Range
wrong-doer, criminal, perpetrator of evil deeds, malefactor (in a legal sense), one convicted of crime
Root / Etymology
From κακός ('bad, evil') and the stem ἔργ- of ἔργον ('deed, work'), forming a compound meaning 'malefactor, evil-doer.' The expression literally means 'one who does evil deeds.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, κακοῦργος primarily denotes a person who does harm, a criminal, or a malefactor—someone who perpetrates acts considered socially or legally reprehensible. It is used in legal, judicial, or penal contexts for those convicted of crimes, and is less of a moral evaluation than a designation of legal status. In the LXX, the term is rare but can denote opponents or those acting unjustly. In the New Testament (cf. Luke 23:32-33, 39), it is specifically used of those crucified with Jesus, indicating not just general evil-doers but people convicted of serious crimes, possibly the Greek equivalent of 'criminals' or 'bandits.' Although sometimes translated 'malefactor' or 'evil-doer' in English tradition, the word's primary nuance in Roman-occupied Judea is that of a criminal as defined by state authority—potentially overlapping with brigand or rebel depending on the context. The term does not specifically denote religious or ethnic identity, being a general designation for lawbreakers, and is distinct from terms emphasizing impiety (e.g., ἁμαρτωλός).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from κακός and the base of ἔργον; a wrong-doer, i.e. criminal:--evil-doer, malefactor.
Root Family
κακοῦργος (kakoûrgos) — to do harm, to act wickedly, to commit crime
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2557-04 |
κακούργους | kakourgous | ADJ.S ACC M PL |
criminals | evil-doers | 1 |
G2557-02 |
κακούργων | kakourgon | ADJ.S GEN M PL |
criminals | of evil-doers | 1 |
G2557-03 |
κακοῦργος | kakourgos | ADJ.S NOM M SG |
a criminal | evil-deed doer | 1 |
G2557-01 |
κακοῦργοι | kakourgoi | ADJ.S NOM M PL |
criminals | evil-doers | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2557-01 |
Luke 23:32 | κακοῦργοι | kakourgoi | ADJ.S NOM M PL |
criminals | evil-doers |
G2557-04 |
Luke 23:33 | κακούργους | kakourgous | ADJ.S ACC M PL |
criminals | evil-doers |
G2557-02 |
Luke 23:39 | κακούργων | kakourgon | ADJ.S GEN M PL |
criminals | of evil-doers |
G2557-03 |
2 Timothy 2:9 | κακοῦργος | kakourgos | ADJ.S NOM M SG |
a criminal | evil-deed doer |