ἀμάρτυρος
amártyros
G267 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Lacking a witness or testimony; not supported or validated by any attestation. Used to describe circumstances or claims for which no external corroboration or evidence by testimony is present. In broader contexts, denotes absence of persons able to provide confirmation or support.
Semantic Range
without witness, unsupported by testimony, not attested, uncorroborated, unverified
Root / Etymology
From the alpha privative (ἀ-) indicating negation, and μάρτυς (martys, 'witness'), thus literally meaning 'without a witness.' No evidence of derivation from non-Greek sources; formed following standard Greek compounding patterns.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἀμάρτυρος is a rare term, attested only a few times in extant literature and never in the Septuagint or New Testament texts themselves, though cognate forms are more widely used. In Classical and Hellenistic Greek, it refers to an act, event, or claim for which no supporting testimony exists, commonly in legal or rhetorical settings. The word emphasizes the lack of external attestation or corroboration rather than the falsehood of the claim itself. The English phrase 'without witness' or 'unsupported by testimony' captures its meaning accurately, though the nuance of external validation can be lost if translated simply as 'unwitnessed.' The concept expressed by ἀμάρτυρος is significant in Greek legal, forensic, and philosophical discourse, where validation by witnesses was crucial for establishing matters of fact. Later translation traditions reflect this sense in phrases like 'without witness,' but this can miss cultural associations with legitimacy and proof.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from Α (as a negative particle) and a form of μάρτυς; unattested:--without witness.
Root Family
ἀμάρτυρος (amártyros) — without witness, lacking testimony, unsupported by evidence
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G267-01 |
ἀμάρτυρον | amarturon | ADJ.S ACC M SG |
without witness | without witness | without witness | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G267-01 |
Acts 14:17 | ἀμάρτυρον | amarturon | ADJ.S ACC M SG |
without witness | without witness | without witness |