ἀμίαντος
amíantos
G283 attributive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Uncontaminated, unstained, or free from impurity; primarily denoting that which is not tainted or soiled, whether in a physical, moral, or ritual sense. In figurative contexts, it can indicate purity or moral incorruptibility, as in something not sullied by association with what is considered impure or improper.
Semantic Range
unsoiled, unstained, pure, undefiled, incorruptible, not polluted or tainted, free from physical, moral, or ritual impurity
Root / Etymology
Derived from the alpha privative (ἀ-, 'not') plus μιαίνω ('to stain, pollute, defile'). Thus, ἀμίαντος literally means 'not defiled' or 'unstained.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἀμίαντος appears rarely but serves as a descriptive adjective for objects or persons free of external or ritual pollution, emphasizing freedom from stain or corruption in both physical and metaphorical senses. In Koine usage (notably Hebrews 7:26, 1 Peter 1:4), the term is applied in moral, spiritual, or ritual contexts—such as the purity of a high priest or the incorruptibility of an inheritance. The Septuagint generally prefers other words for 'pure' or 'undefiled,' but ἀμίαντος in post-biblical Greek can refer to something not merely physically clean but untouched by any defiling influence. Standard English translations usually render it as 'undefiled' or 'unblemished,' but these may not capture the breadth of the term's negative definition as wholly lacking in pollution or stain. The word is etymologically and conceptually related to μιαίνω (to stain, pollute) and contrasts with κοινός (common/unholy) and καθαρός (clean/pure), signifying the absence of defilement rather than the positive presence of cleanliness or holiness.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from Α (as a negative particle) and a derivative of μιαίνω; unsoiled, i.e. (figuratively) pure:--undefiled.
Root Family
ἀμίαντος (amiantos) — unstained, undefiled, unpolluted, pure
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G283-02 |
ἀμίαντος | amiantos | ADJ.S NOM M SG |
undefiled | undefiled | 3 |
G283-01 |
ἀμίαντον | amianton | ADJ.A ACC F SG |
undefiled | unstained | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G283-02 |
Hebrews 7:26 | ἀμίαντος | amiantos | ADJ.S NOM M SG |
undefiled | |
G283-02 |
Hebrews 13:4 | ἀμίαντος | amiantos | ADJ.P NOM F SG |
undefiled | undefiled |
G283-02 |
James 1:27 | ἀμίαντος | amiantos | ADJ.A NOM F SG |
undefiled | undefiled |
G283-01 |
1 Peter 1:4 | ἀμίαντον | amianton | ADJ.A ACC F SG |
undefiled | unstained |