ἁγνός (G53) — Greek Lexicon

ἁγνός

hagnós

G53 predicate adjective

SILEX Entry

Root ἁγ- to be pure, to be free from contamination, to be holy

Definition

Primarily, free from contamination or defilement; pure in the sense of being untainted or unmixed. In moral contexts, denotes innocence or integrity of character; in ritual contexts, indicates ceremonial purity or freedom from pollution. Can extend metaphorically to purity of motive, intention, or devotion, especially regarding chastity or fidelity.

Semantic Range

pure (physically, ritually, or morally); chaste; innocent; undefiled; sincere; untainted; clear in intention or motivation

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root ἁγ-, related to ἅγιος ('set apart, holy'). The root carries the fundamental idea of separation from that which is profane or impure.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἁγνός signified physical and ritual purity, particularly in cultic and sacrificial settings (Homer, tragedy). The term denotes not only the absence of physical stain but also moral innocence, especially as expected of those serving deities or engaging in religious rites. In the Hellenistic period, the semantic range broadened to encompass ethical purity, such as chastity or freedom from moral blemish (cf. Polybius, Epictetus). In the Septuagint, ἁγνός renders Hebrew terms for purity (e.g., טָהוֹר, 'tahor'), typically in the context of ritual law or moral uprightness. In the New Testament, its application is heavily moral: sexual chastity (2 Corinthians 11:2), uncorrupted integrity (Philippians 4:8), and sincere, uncontaminated religious devotion (James 3:17). Standard English translations—'pure,' 'chaste,' 'clean'—often do not capture the term’s ritual, ethical, and sometimes communal dimensions. ἁγνός overlaps with καθαρός ('clean') but emphasizes moral or cultic unimpairedness more than physical cleanliness. Unlike ἅγιος, which denotes set-apartness or consecration, ἁγνός focuses on the state of being unpolluted. In Judean and early Christian contexts, purity carried crucial cultural significance related to community boundaries, worship, and moral order.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the same as ἅγιος; properly, clean, i.e. (figuratively) innocent, modest, perfect:--chaste, clean, pure.

Root Family

ἁγνός (hagnos) — pure, untainted, undefiled, innocent, chaste

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`G53-04`	ἁγνὴν	agnen	`ADJ.A ACC F SG`	chaste	pure	2
`G53-02`	ἁγνάς	agnas	`ADJ.S ACC F PL`	pure	pure ones (feminine)	1
`G53-01`	ἁγνά	agna	`ADJ.P NOM N PL`	pure	pure things	1
`G53-07`	ἁγνοὺς	agnous	`ADJ.P ACC M PL`		pure ones	1
`G53-05`	ἁγνὸν	agnon	`ADJ.S ACC M SG`	pure	pure one	1
`G53-03`	ἁγνή	agne	`ADJ.P NOM F SG`	pure	pure (feminine singular)	1
`G53-06`	ἁγνός	agnos	`ADJ.P NOM M SG`	pure	purely	1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 total occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`G53-07`	2 Corinthians 7:11	ἁγνοὺς	agnous	`ADJ.P ACC M PL`		pure ones
`G53-04`	2 Corinthians 11:2	ἁγνὴν	agnen	`ADJ.A ACC F SG`		pure
`G53-01`	Philippians 4:8	ἁγνά	agna	`ADJ.P NOM N PL`	pure	pure things
`G53-05`	1 Timothy 5:22	ἁγνὸν	agnon	`ADJ.S ACC M SG`	pure	pure one
`G53-02`	Titus 2:5	ἁγνάς	agnas	`ADJ.S ACC F PL`	pure	pure ones (feminine)
`G53-03`	James 3:17	ἁγνή	agne	`ADJ.P NOM F SG`	pure	pure (feminine singular)
`G53-04`	1 Peter 3:2	ἁγνὴν	agnen	`ADJ.A ACC F SG`	chaste	pure
`G53-06`	1 John 3:3	ἁγνός	agnos	`ADJ.P NOM M SG`	pure	purely

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