νοῦς
noûs
G3563 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
The faculty of thought, reason, or intellectual perception; the mind as the seat of understanding, consciousness, or judgment. In philosophical and literary contexts, refers to rational thought or the capacity to apprehend and discern. In Koine usage, may extend to one's way of thinking, attitude, or disposition. Contextually, can refer to both the intellectual and moral orientation of a person.
Semantic Range
mind, intellect, rational faculty, understanding, perception, way of thinking, intent, moral reasoning, mental disposition
Root / Etymology
Derived from the Greek root νο-, possibly linked to the verb γιγνώσκω ('to know'), though the connection is debated. The etymology may reflect archaic roots associated with perceiving or thinking, but ultimate origin is uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested from Homeric Greek, νοῦς originally referred broadly to mental activity, in contrast with θυμός (thymos, spirit/impulse) and ψυχή (psychē, breath/life/soul). In classical philosophy (especially Plato and Aristotle), denotes the rational faculty, highest part of the soul, or capacity for intelligible thought. In Hellenistic and Koine sources, νοῦς remains the primary term for the intellect or mind, often in contrast with sense perception. In the Septuagint, used to render Hebrew terms related to mind and understanding (e.g., לֵב 'heart, mind', דֵּעָה 'knowledge'). In the New Testament, νοῦς describes the human capacity for understanding (1 Cor 14:14–15), interpretive perception (Rom 12:2, 'renewal of the mind'), and moral disposition (Eph 4:23). English translations render as "mind" or "understanding," but the breadth in Greek encompasses not only rational intellect but also intention, attitude, and inner orientation. Distinguished from ψυχή (life, soul, self), which can be broader or more existential; νοῦς specifically pertains to reason, discernment, or the interpretive faculty. In later philosophical/theological usage, νοῦς becomes the highest faculty for apprehending the divine or the spiritual, especially in Platonist and early Christian thought.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably from the base of γινώσκω; the intellect, i.e. mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will); by implication, meaning:--mind, understanding. Compare ψυχή.
Root Family
νοῦς (nous) — mind, intellect, rational faculty, understanding, perception, intent
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3563-03 |
νοῦν | noun | N ACC M SG |
mind | mind | 9 |
G3563-01 |
νοῒ | noi | N DAT M SG |
mind | to the mind | 6 |
G3563-02 |
νοός | noos | N GEN M SG |
mind | of the mind | 6 |
G3563-04 |
νοῦς | nous | N NOM M SG |
mind | reasoning mind | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
24 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3563-03 |
Luke 24:45 | νοῦν | noun | N ACC M SG |
mind | mind |
G3563-03 |
Romans 1:28 | νοῦν | noun | N ACC M SG |
mind | |
G3563-02 |
Romans 7:23 | νοός | noos | N GEN M SG |
of the mind | |
G3563-01 |
Romans 7:25 | νοῒ | noi | N DAT M SG |
to the mind | |
G3563-03 |
Romans 11:34 | νοῦν | noun | N ACC M SG |
mind | mind |
G3563-02 |
Romans 12:2 | νοός | noos | N GEN M SG |
mind | of the mind |
G3563-01 |
Romans 14:5 | νοῒ | noi | N DAT M SG |
mind | to the mind |
G3563-01 |
1 Corinthians 1:10 | νοῒ | noi | N DAT M SG |
mind | to the mind |
G3563-03 |
1 Corinthians 2:16 | νοῦν | noun | N ACC M SG |
the mind | mind |
G3563-03 |
1 Corinthians 2:16 | νοῦν | noun-2 | N ACC M SG |
the mind | mind |