ὀκνηρός (G3636) — Greek Lexicon

ὀκνηρός

oknērós

G3636 predicate adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Primarily, slow or hesitant to act, lacking eagerness in performing a task. In extended contexts, describes a person who is sluggish, inactive, or unwilling to exert effort—often bearing the nuance of laziness or negligence. The term may also convey a sense of reluctance arising from fear or disinterest.

Semantic Range

hesitant, reluctant, slow to act, sluggish, lazy, idle, negligent, lacking diligence

Root / Etymology

From ὀκνέω (to shrink, hesitate, delay) + the adjective-forming suffix -ρός. The verbal root relates to hesitation or timidity; the adjective characterizes the resultant state or disposition.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ὀκνηρός referred to someone who was hesitant or reluctant, often out of timidity or fearfulness about consequences. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, especially in the New Testament and moral exhortations, the term shifted to emphasize indolence, negligence, or slothfulness—frequently with a moral undertone (e.g., 'slothful servant' in Matthew 25:26). In the Septuagint, it often translates Hebrew terms denoting laziness or inactivity (cf. Proverbs), thereby reinforcing the negative assessment of the trait. English translations often render the term 'slothful,' 'lazy,' or 'idle', which adequately conveys later Koine usage but can obscure the original nuance of wary or hesitant reluctance.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ὀκνέω; tardy, i.e. indolent; (figuratively) irksome:--grievous, slothful.

Root Family

ὀκν- (oknéō) — to hesitate, to delay, to be reluctant

Root ὀκν- to shrink back, to hesitate, to delay

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
G3635	ὀκνέω	you might hesitate

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G3636-01`	ὀκνηρέ	oknere	`ADJ.A VOC M SG`	lazy	O hesitant one	O lazy one	1
`G3636-02`	ὀκνηροί	okneroi	`ADJ.P NOM M PL`	be slothful	hesitant ones	slothful ones	1
`G3636-03`	ὀκνηρόν	okneron	`ADJ.P NOM N SG`	troublesome	hesitant, sluggish	troublesome	1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G3636-01`	Matthew 25:26	ὀκνηρέ	oknere	`ADJ.A VOC M SG`	lazy	O hesitant one	O lazy one
`G3636-02`	Romans 12:11	ὀκνηροί	okneroi	`ADJ.P NOM M PL`	be slothful	hesitant ones	slothful ones
`G3636-03`	Philippians 3:1	ὀκνηρόν	okneron	`ADJ.P NOM N SG`	troublesome	hesitant, sluggish	troublesome

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