κριτικός (G2924) — Greek Lexicon

κριτικός

kritikós

G2924 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Root κριτ- to judge, to discern, to separate, to decide

Definition

Pertaining to judging, capable of discernment or distinguishing; possessing the quality to judge, evaluate, or critically assess. In its specific attested context (Hebrews 4:12), refers to the ability to discern or make judgments about thoughts and intentions.

Semantic Range

pertaining to judging or discerning, able to judge, critical, decisive, discriminative, analytic in distinguishing or assessing

Root / Etymology

From the root κριτ- (relating to separation, judgment, or deciding), formed from the noun κριτής ('judge, one who decides') and the adjectival suffix -ικός (indicating pertinence or capability). Thus, κριτικός means 'pertaining to judging.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

κρίτικός is rare in classical and Koine Greek, with its only New Testament occurrence in Hebrews 4:12, where it describes the discerning or penetrating capacity of the 'word of God.' In broader Hellenistic Greek, the adjective is associated with the capacity to judge or discern, and is the origin of the modern English term 'critical.' Classical usage (e.g., in medical or philosophical texts) applies the term to matters of judgment, crisis, or evaluation, particularly in reference to situations or people possessing decision-making ability. In the Septuagint, the adjective itself does not occur, but the root forms a family of words relating to judging activities. Standard English translations often use 'discerner' or 'able to judge,' but these may not capture the nuance of analytical discrimination implied in Greek usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κριτής; decisive ("critical"), i.e. discriminative:--discerner.

Root Family

κριτικός (kritikos) — to judge, to discern, to separate, to decide

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`G2924-01`	κριτικὸς	kritikos	`ADJ.S NOM M SG`		judging one	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`G2924-01`	Hebrews 4:12	κριτικὸς	kritikos	`ADJ.S NOM M SG`		judging one

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