ἀγνόημα
agnóēma
G51 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A result or expression of ignorance; an unintentional error, fault, or offense arising from not knowing or from lack of awareness. The primary sense is a deed, word, or thought committed in ignorance, particularly where there is no deliberate intent to act wrongly. It encompasses moral, ritual, or legal missteps made through not knowing, rather than willful transgression.
Semantic Range
a result of ignorance, unintentional error, error of ignorance, unconsciously committed offense, unintentional sin, fault not knowingly committed
Root / Etymology
Derived from the verb ἀγνοέω (agnoeō), meaning 'to be ignorant,' 'not to know,' 'to be unaware.' The suffix -μα (-ma) forms a noun denoting the result of an action. Thus, ἀγνόημα is 'that which is produced by ignorance.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical and Hellenistic Greek, ἀγνόημα is rarely attested but when found refers to an error or offense resulting from ignorance or lack of awareness. In the Septuagint and later Jewish-Greek writings, it often denotes sin or fault committed unwittingly, paralleling the Hebrew שְׁגָגָה (shegagah, 'unintentional sin'). In the New Testament (notably Hebrews 9:7), it refers to transgressions made without conscious intent, errors made in ignorance—distinguished from deliberate acts. Commonly translated 'error,' 'fault,' or 'sin of ignorance' in English Bibles, although this translation may not fully communicate the distinction between intentional and unintentional wrongdoing that characterized legal and ritual contexts in antiquity. Contrasts with Greek terms for deliberate violation (e.g., ἁμάρτημα) and intentional wrongdoing (παράπτωμα). The nuance of ἀγνόημα emphasizes lack of knowledge or awareness leading to the act, rather than characterizing the act itself as inherently grave or severe.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀγνοέω; a thing ignored, i.e. shortcoming:--error.
Root Family
ἀγνόημα (agnóēma) — ignorance, lack of awareness, unintentional error, fault arising from not knowing
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G51-01 |
ἀγνοημάτων | agnoematon | N GEN N PL |
of unintentional errors | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G51-01 |
Hebrews 9:7 | ἀγνοημάτων | agnoematon | N GEN N PL |
of unintentional errors |