ἀμετάθετος (G276) — Greek Lexicon

ἀμετάθετος

ametáthetos

G276 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Unchangeable, incapable of being altered or displaced. Used to denote that which is not subject to change or cannot be transferred to another condition or arrangement; also, the quality of being unchangeable (immutability), particularly in reference to a state, promise, or decree that remains fixed and cannot be set aside or transferred.

Semantic Range

unchangeable, not able to be transferred, immutable, fixed or permanent in nature, the quality/state of being unchangeable (immutability)

Root / Etymology

Composed of the privative prefix ἀ- (not) and μετατίθημι (to change, transfer, or alter). Thus ἀμετάθετος literally means 'not subject to change or transfer.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ἀμετάθετος is rare, with few attestations prior to the Koine period. The term appears in Koine Greek (notably, Hebrews 6:17-18 in the New Testament) to communicate the concept of something being absolute, fixed, or not transferable—conditions that cannot be annulled or set aside. In Hebrews, it refers specifically to the unchangeable nature of God’s promise or purpose, emphasizing dependability rather than abstract philosophical immutability. The word seldom occurs outside biblical and early Christian contexts, and its meaning remains consistent with broader Greek usage. In English translation tradition, often rendered as 'immutable' or 'unchangeable,' but these do not always capture the exclusion of alteration and transfer inherent in the Greek term. Related terms: μετατίθημι ('to transfer, change'), which is the basis for the negated form. The concept differs from other Greek words for 'permanence' (e.g., σταθερός, 'stable') by focusing on change or transfer specifically. The term's appearance in biblical literature reflects an interest in the reliability and permanence of divine actions or words, as contrasted with human changeability.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from Α (as a negative particle) and a derivative of μετατίθημι; unchangeable, or (neuter as abstract) unchangeability:--immutable(-ility).

Root Family

ἀμετάθετος (ametáthetos) — unchangeable, not transferable, immutable, fixed

Root μεταθετ- to transfer, change, alter

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G276-01`	ἀμετάθετον	ametatheton	`ADJ.S ACC N SG`	immutability	the unchangeable	unchangeable	2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G276-01`	Hebrews 6:17	ἀμετάθετον	ametatheton	`ADJ.S ACC N SG`	immutability	the unchangeable	unchangeable
`G276-01`	Hebrews 6:18	ἀμεταθέτων	ametatheton	`ADJ.A GEN N PL`	unchangeable	the unchangeable	unchangeable

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