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ἄνευ

áneu

G427 preposition

SILEX Entry

Definition

A preposition meaning 'without' or 'lacking,' denoting absence or exclusion of someone or something. It primarily marks that something does not belong to or is not present with, about, or in a particular situation or person. Extended senses can indicate lacking a quality, resource, or attribute, or acting independently of certain circumstances.

Semantic Range

without, lacking, absent, apart from, independently of, excluding

Root / Etymology

Etymology uncertain. Appears as a primary prepositional particle in Greek, with no clear derivation from other Greek roots.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ἄνευ appears from classical Greek onward as a preposition governing the genitive. In classical literature, it functions to denote privation or exclusion (e.g., acting 'without hope,' or 'without companions'). Its usage remains consistent in Hellenistic Greek, including the Septuagint and New Testament, to express the absence of a person, quality, resource, or manner (e.g., 'without ceasing,' 'without cause,' 'without the law'). Contrasts with other Greek prepositions of absence or lack, such as χωρίς, which can overlap but may emphasize separation more than simple absence. Standard English translations ('without') generally capture its sense, though the connotations of lack versus exclusion may vary based on context. Equivalent constructs are found in Hebrew (e.g., בְּלִי, minus something), which influenced some Septuagint usage patterns.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primary particle; without:--without. Compare Α.

Root Family

ἄνευ (aneu) — to lack, to be without, to exclude

Root ἀνευ to lack, to be without, to exclude

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G427-01 ἄνευ aneu PREP GEN without without without 3

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G427-01 Matthew 10:29 ἄνευ aneu PREP GEN without without without
G427-01 1 Peter 3:1 ἄνευ aneu PREP GEN without without without
G427-01 1 Peter 4:9 ἄνευ aneu PREP GEN without without without
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