ἄμωμος
ámōmos
G299 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Free from physical or moral defect; without blemish or fault. In literal usage, denotes something or someone that is unmarked by imperfection or damage. In figurative usage, describes moral integrity or blamelessness—i.e., being free from ethical fault or flaw. Commonly used to express the idea of suitability for sacred, ritual, or honorable status, especially in reference to sacrificial offerings, but also metaphorically of persons' moral state.
Semantic Range
without blemish, unblemished (physically); without fault, blameless (morally or ethically); free from defect, suitable for sacred or honorable use
Root / Etymology
From the privative prefix ἀ- (expressing negation) and μῶμος, meaning 'spot', 'blemish', or 'fault'. Thus, ἄμωμος literally means 'without blemish' or 'without fault.' The component μῶμος has roots in classical Greek with the sense of defacement, disgrace, or blame, particularly relating to physical or moral imperfection.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἄμωμος is used of objects, animals, and persons that are unmarked by spot or blemish, often in ritual contexts (e.g., for sacrifices that must be perfect). In the Septuagint, it translates Hebrew terms meaning 'blameless' (e.g., תָּמִים, tamim), especially in reference to animals suitable for offering, but also to persons characterized by moral integrity. In the New Testament, ἄμωμος is applied to both moral character (e.g., believers or the assembly as 'blameless' before God) and to Christ in the imagery of a sacrificial victim. Standard English translations as 'blameless' or 'without blemish' do not always communicate the ritual or cultic associations implied by the term in Second Temple context, where absence of μῶμος indicated acceptability to the divine. Distinct from related terms like ἄμεμπτος ('irreproachable,' lacking cause for complaint), which emphasize absence of external criticism, ἄμωμος focuses on intrinsic absence of flaw or impurity.
Translation Consistency
Occurs most often in the SILEX renderings and captures the primary, concrete sense (suitable for sacrifice, free from physical defect) while also working naturally in figurative contexts (moral purity). It is a simple, single-word English equivalent that preserves the typical usage across literal and ethical senses.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from Α (as a negative particle) and μῶμος; unblemished (literally or figuratively):--without blame (blemish, fault, spot), faultless, unblamable.
Root Family
ἄμωμος (amōmos) — blemish, fault, spot
Word Forms
6 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G299-06 |
ἀμώμους | amomous | ADJ.S ACC M PL |
blameless | unblemished ones | unblemished ones | 3 |
G299-01 |
ἄμωμα | amoma | ADJ.S NOM N PL |
without blemish | blemish-free ones | blemish-free ones | 1 |
G299-05 |
ἀμώμου | amomou | ADJ.A GEN M SG |
without blemish | of an unblemished one | without blemish | 1 |
G299-04 |
ἄμωμος | amomos | ADJ.S NOM F SG |
blameless | an unblemished one | an unblemished one | 1 |
G299-03 |
ἄμωμον | amomon | ADJ.S ACC M SG |
without blemish | unblemished one | unblemished one | 1 |
G299-02 |
ἄμωμοί | amomoi | ADJ.P NOM M PL |
blameless | unblemished ones | unblemished ones | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
8 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G299-06 |
Ephesians 1:4 | ἀμώμους | amomous | ADJ.S ACC M PL |
blameless | unblemished ones | unblemished ones |
G299-04 |
Ephesians 5:27 | ἄμωμος | amomos | ADJ.S NOM F SG |
blameless | an unblemished one | an unblemished one |
G299-01 |
Philippians 2:15 | ἄμωμα | amoma | ADJ.S NOM N PL |
without blemish | blemish-free ones | blemish-free ones |
G299-06 |
Colossians 1:22 | ἀμώμους | amomous | ADJ.S ACC M PL |
unblameable | unblemished ones | unblemished ones |
G299-03 |
Hebrews 9:14 | ἄμωμον | amomon | ADJ.S ACC M SG |
without blemish | unblemished one | unblemished one |
G299-05 |
1 Peter 1:19 | ἀμώμου | amomou | ADJ.A GEN M SG |
without blemish | of an unblemished one | without blemish |
G299-06 |
Jude 1:24 | ἀμώμους | amomous | ADJ.S ACC M PL |
blameless | unblemished ones | unblemished ones |
G299-02 |
Revelation 14:5 | ἄμωμοί | amomoi | ADJ.P NOM M PL |
blameless | unblemished ones | unblemished ones |