ὁλόκληρος
holóklēros
G3648 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Entire, complete in all parts, with nothing lacking; sound, whole, undamaged. In physical contexts, refers to being in full health or bodily integrity; in broader usage, capable of describing something complete or intact in any respect. The sense of completeness involves having all proper parts, being unblemished or unimpaired.
Semantic Range
entire, whole, complete in all parts, undamaged, sound, intact, unimpaired, fully integrated
Root / Etymology
From ὅλος ('whole, all, entire') + κλῆρος ('lot, part, portion'). The compound suggests 'whole in all one's parts' or 'entire with every portion.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
ὁλόκληρος is a rare term in both classical and post-classical Greek, with core usage emphasizing wholeness, integrity, or completeness—especially in bodily or personal integrity. While its earliest attestations refer to undamaged or entire things or people, by the Hellenistic era it also expresses moral or functional completeness. In the Septuagint, the Greek is sometimes used to render terms meaning 'blameless' or 'without defect,' particularly in relation to persons or sacrificial animals. In the New Testament (cf. Jas 1:4; Acts 3:16), it is used with reference to being sound or entire, either morally, spiritually, or physically. Standard English translations as 'whole' or 'entire' capture part of the range but may miss the nuance of having all parts or being fully integrated. The word is distinct from similar terms such as τέλειος ('perfect, mature') or ἄμωμος ('spotless, blameless'), with ὁλόκληρος focusing on intactness and nothing missing.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ὅλος and κλῆρος; complete in every part, i.e. perfectly sound (in body):--entire, whole.
Root Family
ὁλό- + -κλῆρος (holóklēros) — whole, entire, complete
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3648-01 |
ὁλόκληροι | olokleroi | ADJ.S NOM M PL |
complete | whole ones | complete | 1 |
G3648-02 |
ὁλόκληρον | olokleron | ADJ.S NOM N SG |
entire | whole, complete | whole complete | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3648-02 |
1 Thessalonians 5:23 | ὁλόκληρον | olokleron | ADJ.S NOM N SG |
entire | whole, complete | whole complete |
G3648-01 |
James 1:4 | ὁλόκληροι | olokleroi | ADJ.S NOM M PL |
complete | whole ones | complete |