ἁγιωσύνη
hagiōsýnē
G42 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
The quality or state of being set apart for the divine, holiness, sacredness. Denotes the inherent or manifested characteristic of being dedicated or consecrated to that which is regarded as divine, pure, or morally distinct. In some contexts, it can refer both to internal moral purity and to the objective status of belonging to the divine realm or purpose.
Semantic Range
holiness, sacredness, consecration, the quality or state of being holy, moral purity, dedication to God
Root / Etymology
From ἅγιος (hagios, 'holy, set apart'), with the abstract noun ending -σύνη, indicating a quality or state.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἁγιωσύνη is a rare term in Greek literature, with primary attestations in biblical and para-biblical texts (LXX, New Testament). Its earliest uses are in Hellenistic Jewish Greek (e.g., Wisdom of Solomon, 2 Maccabees), often translating Hebrew קֹדֶשׁ (qōdesh, 'holiness, sacredness'). In the Septuagint, it describes both divine and human states or spheres set apart for the God of Israel. In the New Testament, it occurs only three times (Rom 1:4; 2 Cor 7:1; 1 Thess 3:13), where it connotes not only a state of ritual or cultic distinctiveness but also moral purity and ethical dedication. The term overlaps in meaning with ἁγιότης (G41), though the latter may be more commonly used for the state or attribute, while ἁγιωσύνη sometimes emphasizes the process or progress of becoming holy. Standard English translations usually render the term as 'holiness,' but this can obscure its close ties to the language of consecration and the sacred in Hellenistic Judean contexts. Distinct from general Greek concepts of virtue (ἀρετή) or piety (εὐσέβεια), it is strongly marked by its association with what is set apart for God.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἅγιος; sacredness (i.e. properly, the quality):--holiness.
Root Family
ἁγιωσύνη (hagiōsynē) — holiness, sacredness, consecration, state of being set apart
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G42-03 |
ἁγιωσύνης | agiosunes | N GEN F SG |
of holiness | of sacredness | of sacredness | 1 |
G42-01 |
ἁγιωσύνῃ | agiosune | N DAT F SG |
holiness | in sacredness | holiness | 1 |
G42-02 |
ἁγιωσύνην | agiosunen | N ACC F SG |
holiness | holiness | holiness | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G42-03 |
Romans 1:4 | ἁγιωσύνης | agiosunes | N GEN F SG |
of holiness | of sacredness | of sacredness |
G42-02 |
2 Corinthians 7:1 | ἁγιωσύνην | agiosunen | N ACC F SG |
holiness | holiness | holiness |
G42-01 |
1 Thessalonians 3:13 | ἁγιωσύνῃ | agiosune | N DAT F SG |
holiness | in sacredness | holiness |