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κενός

kenós

G2756 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Having nothing inside, containing no material or substance; by extension, lacking in value, worth, or effect. Primary sense refers to physical emptiness or void, with figurative usage signifying something pointless, futile, or lacking effectiveness. In language, it can also denote something insincere, deceptive, or without real basis.

Semantic Range

empty (of physical space or container), void, lacking content or substance, futile, lacking result or effect, in vain, worthless, lacking basis or sincerity

Root / Etymology

Primary Greek adjective; not clearly derived from any other attested root, but possibly related to Proto-Indo-European *k̑en- meaning 'to empty'. Etymology uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Κενός appears in classical Greek literature (e.g. Homer, Herodotus) to denote literal emptiness or something devoid of content. In philosophical, rhetorical, and later Hellenistic usage—including the Septuagint and New Testament—it often takes on a figurative sense: an action or word that is 'empty' (i.e. without power, real substance, or purpose), or a promise that is hollow. The term contrasts with πλήρης (full, complete) and the related κενόω (to make empty, to empty out). New Testament usage includes both literal (e.g., empty container) and metaphorical (e.g., 'empty words' meaning insincere or untruthful communication, or 'in vain' referring to fruitless or purposeless effort). The standard English translation 'empty' captures the primary sense, but the figurative realm—including 'in vain', 'futile', or 'powerless'—is important to understanding its use in Koine Greek contexts. The semantic range does not automatically imply moral deficiency but emphasizes lack, absence, or ineffectiveness, both in material and immaterial domains.

Translation Consistency

primary "empty" 14 occurrences

Kenós primarily denotes lack of contents or substance — physical emptiness and by extension futility or worthlessness. “Empty” is the most frequent and natural English equivalent, covers both literal and figurative senses (and can be used adjectivally or substantively), and is preferable to narrower options like “vain” or “void.”

Alternatives (4 occurrences):
"emptiness" (3x) "vain things" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

apparently a primary word; empty (literally or figuratively):--empty, (in) vain.

Root Family

κενός (kenos) — empty, void, lacking content, lacking substance, futile

Root κεν- to be empty, to lack content

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2756-05 κενόν kenon ADJ.S ACC M SG vain empty one empty one 9
G2756-02 κενὴ kene ADJ.P NOM F SG vain empty empty 4
G2756-04 κενοῖς kenois ADJ.A DAT M PL empty to empty ones by empty 1
G2756-06 κενὸς kenos ADJ.P NOM M SG in vain empty empty 1
G2756-03 κενῆς kenes ADJ.A GEN F SG empty of empty of empty 1
G2756-07 κενούς kenous ADJ.S ACC M PL empty empty ones empty 1
G2756-01 κενά kena ADJ.S ACC N PL vain things empty things vain things 1

Occurrences in Scripture

18 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2756-05 Mark 12:3 κενόν kenon ADJ.S ACC M SG away empty empty one away empty
G2756-07 Luke 1:53 κενούς kenous ADJ.S ACC M PL empty empty ones empty
G2756-05 Luke 20:10 κενόν kenon ADJ.S ACC M SG empty empty one empty
G2756-05 Luke 20:11 κενόν kenon ADJ.S ACC M SG empty empty one empty
G2756-01 Acts 4:25 κενά kena ADJ.S ACC N PL vain things empty things vain things
G2756-02 1 Corinthians 15:10 κενὴ kene ADJ.P NOM F SG in vain empty empty
G2756-05 1 Corinthians 15:14 κενὸν kenon ADJ.P NOM N SG vain empty one empty one
G2756-02 1 Corinthians 15:14 κενὴ kene ADJ.P NOM F SG vain empty empty
G2756-06 1 Corinthians 15:58 κενὸς kenos ADJ.P NOM M SG in vain empty empty
G2756-05 2 Corinthians 6:1 κενὸν kenon ADJ.S ACC N SG in vain empty one emptiness
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