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ἀπάτη

apátē

G539 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Deceit, deception, or delusion; the act or state of intentionally misleading, causing one to believe what is false, or being misled by something false. In various contexts, refers both to intentional acts of deceiving others and the state of being deluded or self-deceived.

Semantic Range

deceit, deception, delusion, error caused by deception, fraud, act of misleading, state of being deceived or deluded

Root / Etymology

From the verb ἀπατάω (apatáō), meaning 'to deceive, mislead.' Represents the nominal form indicating the abstract concept or quality of deception or delusion. No certain connection to non-Greek sources.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀπάτη commonly meant 'deceit' or 'fraud,' typically as a negative moral or legal quality. The term appears in Hellenistic Greek with emphasis on psychological and philosophical deception, such as delusions of the senses or false reasoning. In the Septuagint and New Testament, ἀπάτη is used for both deliberate deceit (as in fraud or trickery) and for instances of self-delusion or error—most often highlighting the danger of being led astray by appearances, wealth, or false teachings. Standard English translations typically render it as 'deceit' or 'delusion,' though the original may carry a broader sense including any form of misleading, whether intentional or due to self-misunderstanding. The word contrasts with related concepts such as ἀλήθεια (truth) and ἀπλότητος (sincerity). No significant difference is present between Septuagint and New Testament usage, although the latter may place heightened emphasis on spiritual or eschatological contexts (e.g., the deceitfulness of riches or sin).

Translation Consistency

primary "deception" 7 occurrences

‘Deception’ is the most natural, common English rendering that covers the full SILEX range (deceit, fraud, being misled or deluded). It matches the predominant P2 occurrences and works well both for intentional misleading and the state of being deluded, while sounding natural across contexts.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀπατάω; delusion:--deceit(-ful, -fulness), deceivableness(-ving).

Root Family

ἀπάτη (apatē) — deceit, deception, delusion, misleading

Root ἀπατ- to deceive, to mislead

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G539-02 ἀπάτη apate N NOM F SG deceitfulness deception deception 4
G539-03 ἀπάτης apates N GEN F SG deceit of deceit of deception 2
G539-01 ἀπάταις apatais N DAT F PL deceitful pleasures in deceptions deceptions 1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G539-02 Matthew 13:22 ἀπάτη apate N NOM F SG deceitfulness deception deception
G539-02 Mark 4:19 ἀπάτη apate N NOM F SG deceitfulness deception deception
G539-03 Ephesians 4:22 ἀπάτης apates N GEN F SG deceit of deceit of deception
G539-03 Colossians 2:8 ἀπάτης apates N GEN F SG deceit of deceit of deception
G539-02 2 Thessalonians 2:10 ἀπάτῃ apate N DAT F SG deception deception deception
G539-02 Hebrews 3:13 ἀπάτῃ apate N DAT F SG deceitfulness deception deception
G539-01 2 Peter 2:13 ἀπάταις apatais N DAT F PL deceitful pleasures in deceptions deceptions
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