← G5198 G5200 →

ὑγιής

hygiḗs

G5199 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Healthy, in sound physical condition; by extension, uncorrupted, whole, or unimpaired (in body or, metaphorically, in doctrine or understanding). The primary sense pertains to physical health or wholeness—that is, not suffering from disease or defect; in figurative contexts, describes something as being correct, valid, uncorrupted, or free from error (e.g., sound teaching, sound words).

Semantic Range

physically healthy; sound or whole (of body or limb); uncorrupted; correct, valid (of teaching or doctrine); unimpaired; fit, wholesome (of animals or offerings); metaphorically, pure or correct (of mind, words, or teaching)

Root / Etymology

Derived from the Greek root ὑγ- (related to health and soundness), possibly related to the term ὑγίεια ('health'). The often-cited derivation from the base of αὐξάνω ('to increase') is mistaken; the true etymology is linked to the ancient Greek concept of wholeness and health. Cognates are found in related Greek medical terms.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ὑγιής chiefly denotes soundness and good physical health, as opposed to sickness or mutilation. Its medical usage persists in Hellenistic Greek and the Septuagint, where it often describes a whole or unblemished animal fit for sacrifice (e.g., Lev 3:1 LXX) or a person in full health. In the New Testament, the term retains this primary meaning but appears frequently in figurative senses—most notably, 'sound' in the sense of uncorrupted or correct, such as 'sound words' (2 Tim 1:13) or 'sound doctrine' (1 Tim 1:10, Tit 2:1). This metaphorical use—contrasting healthy/true teaching with diseased/corrupt doctrine—is a shift characteristic of Koine usage, often found in didactic or ethical contexts. Standard English translations may render ὑγιής as 'sound,' 'whole,' or 'healthy,' but no single English term fully captures both its literal and its extended metaphorical senses. The word forms the basis for the English 'hygiene.' Bear in mind, the figurative sense does not imply 'true' in an absolute sense, but rather carries connotations of wholeness or lack of defect, whether physical or conceptual.

Translation Consistency

primary "healthy" 7 occurrences

Most natural and frequent rendering in the P2 data (majority use). 'Healthy' clearly captures the primary physical sense (sound, whole, unimpaired) while also working acceptably in figurative contexts (healthy teaching/understanding). It is simple, natural English and keeps consistency across all forms of G5199.

Alternatives (5 occurrences):
"healthy, whole" (5x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the base of αὐξάνω; healthy, i.e. well (in body); figuratively, true (in doctrine):--sound, whole.

Root Family

ὑγιής (hygiēs) — healthy, sound, whole, uncorrupted

Root ὑγ- healthy, sound, whole

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5199-03 ὑγιὴς ugies ADJ.S NOM F SG well healthy, whole healthy, whole 7
G5199-01 ὑγιῆ ugie ADJ.S ACC M SG well healthy one healthy one 4
G5199-02 ὑγιεῖς ugieis ADJ.P ACC M PL healthy healthy ones healthy 1

Occurrences in Scripture

12 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5199-03 Matthew 12:13 ὑγιὴς ugies ADJ.S NOM F SG healthy healthy, whole healthy
G5199-02 Matthew 15:31 ὑγιεῖς ugieis ADJ.P ACC M PL healthy healthy ones healthy
G5199-03 Mark 5:34 ὑγιὴς ugies ADJ.P NOM F SG well healthy, whole healthy, whole
G5199-03 John 5:4 ὑγιὴς ugies ADJ.A NOM M SG whole healthy, whole healthy, whole
G5199-03 John 5:6 ὑγιὴς ugies ADJ.P NOM M SG well healthy, whole to be healthy
G5199-03 John 5:9 ὑγιὴς ugies ADJ.P NOM M SG well healthy, whole healthy, whole
G5199-01 John 5:11 ὑγιῆ ugie ADJ.S ACC M SG well healthy one healthy one
G5199-03 John 5:14 ὑγιὴς ugies ADJ.P NOM M SG well healthy, whole healthy, whole
G5199-01 John 5:15 ὑγιῆ ugie ADJ.S ACC M SG well healthy one healthy one
G5199-01 John 7:23 ὑγιῆ ugie ADJ.S ACC M SG well healthy one healthy one
← G5198 Greek Lexicon G5200 →