ῥύπος
rhýpos
G4509 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Physical dirt, filth, or grime; by extension, defilement or impurity—especially as a metaphor for moral corruption or uncleanness. The primary sense is tangible, material uncleanliness, but in certain contexts, particularly in Hellenistic moral discourse and in the New Testament, it can signify moral or spiritual impurity.
Semantic Range
dirt, grime, physical uncleanliness, filthiness of body or garments, figurative impurity, moral uncleanliness
Root / Etymology
uncertain affinity; not derived from a regularly attested Greek root; possibly related by sound or formation to ῥύομαι ('to flow, to discharge'), but definite etymological connection is lacking.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ῥύπος is rare in both classical and Koine Greek, most prominently occurring in later Hellenistic and early Christian writings. In secular Greek, it most commonly denotes literal dirt or filth—the physical grime that soils surfaces, garments, or the human body. When used metaphorically, it signals a generalized concept of impurity, uncleanliness, or disgrace, occasionally extending into the moral sphere (i.e., a metaphor for moral taint or vice), but this extension is not prevalent in pre-Christian sources. In the New Testament (notably in 1 Peter 3:21), ῥύπος is used to describe the 'filth of the flesh,' highlighting a distinction between outward physical impurity and inward moral or spiritual state, where moral transformation is prioritized over ritual or physical cleansing. English translations often render ῥύπος as 'filth' or 'dirt,' but these terms may not fully express the nuanced shift between literal and ethical usages in ancient sources. Unlike terms such as κοινός or ἀκάθαρτος, which are more closely tied to ritual purity, ῥύπος retains a stronger association with visible, material uncleanliness unless context explicitly indicates the metaphorical extension.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of uncertain affinity; dirt, i.e. (morally) depravity:--filth.
Root Family
ῥύπος (rhýpos) — dirt, filth, impurity
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4509-01 |
ῥύπου | rupou | N GEN M SG |
of dirt | of filth | of filth | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4509-01 |
1 Peter 3:21 | ῥύπου | rupou | N GEN M SG |
of dirt | of filth | of filth |