← G297 G299 →

ἀμώμητος

amṓmētos

G298 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

not open to blame, free from censure or fault; describes a person or thing without moral, ethical, or ritual blemish, particularly in the sense of being irreproachable before others’ judgment or accusation. In extended contexts, used for someone whose conduct or reputation has not been tarnished by public reproach, especially in collective or communal assessments.

Semantic Range

blameless, irreproachable, not open to accusation, free from fault or defect, above reproach

Root / Etymology

Composed of the negative prefix ἀ- (a-, ‘not’) and a verbal stem derived from μωμάομαι (‘to find fault, censure, blame’). Thus, ἀμώμητος means ‘not able to be blamed’ or ‘without reproach.’ Cognate with μῶμος (‘blame, reproach, blemish’).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, the adjective ἀμώμητος is rare, with literary attestation more common in Hellenistic and later Koine sources. In the Septuagint and New Testament contexts, it describes people whose behavior or reputation is without public fault or accusation, often in ethical or communal leadership evaluations (see e.g., 1 Timothy 3:10). The term focuses on external appraisal rather than an internal spiritual or ritual state; it does not describe sinlessness, but rather immunity from censure by others. Septuagint usage sometimes parallels Hebrew terms for ‘without blemish’ (esp. מוּם, mum), which in sacrificial cult settings means ‘defectless,’ but in Greek, the term retains a primarily moral or reputational emphasis. English translations such as ‘blameless’ or ‘irreproachable’ partially capture the meaning, but may understate the communal and public dimension of the term in the original contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from Α (as a negative particle) and a derivative of μωμάομαι; unblamable:--blameless.

Root Family

ἀμώμητος (amōmētos) — not open to blame, irreproachable, free from censure, without blemish

Root μωμ- to find fault, to blame, to censure

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G298-01 ἀμώμητοι amometoi ADJ.S NOM M PL blameless irreproachable ones irreproachable ones 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G298-01 2 Peter 3:14 ἀμώμητοι amometoi ADJ.S NOM M PL blameless irreproachable ones irreproachable ones
← G297 Greek Lexicon G299 →