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φρόνιμος

phrónimos

G5429 predicate adjective

SILEX Entry

Root φρόν- to think, to be minded, to be prudent

Definition

Possessing sound judgment or practical wisdom; characterized by prudence and thoughtfulness in decision-making. In various contexts, can denote being sensible, shrewd, prudent, or judicious. In extended or negative contexts, may imply being cunning, crafty, or self-serving, but the primary sense is one of practical, discerning intelligence.

Semantic Range

prudent, sensible, thoughtful, judicious, shrewd, practical-minded, cautious, discreet, sometimes crafty or cunning

Root / Etymology

From the root φρήν (phrēn), meaning 'mind,' 'understanding,' or 'thought.' φρόνιμος is an adjective derived from this, conveying the sense of someone in possession of mindful or prudent qualities.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, φρόνιμος was a positive term, praising someone for practical intelligence and sound judgment, often contrasted with σοφός (sophos), which could imply more theoretical wisdom, and συνετός (synetos), which carries the sense of intellectual or interpretative ability. In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, φρόνιμος continued to mean 'prudent,' 'thoughtful,' or 'sensible,' but context could sometimes shade the meaning toward 'shrewd' or even 'cunning,' especially in parables or rhetorical usage (e.g., Matthew 10:16 'shrewd as serpents'). The term could be both commendatory ('wise, prudent') and, less frequently, pejorative (underlying sense of being self-serving or too clever), though the pejorative sense is not dominant in New Testament usage. English translations often render φρόνιμος as 'wise,' 'prudent,' or 'sensible,' but may obscure potential nuances of practical shrewdness versus theoretical wisdom.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from φρήν; thoughtful, i.e. sagacious or discreet (implying a cautious character; while σοφός denotes practical skill or acumen; and συνετός indicates rather intelligence or mental acquirement); in a bad sense conceited (also in the comparative):--wise(-r).

Root Family

φρόνιμος (phronimos) — prudent, sensible, thoughtful, judicious, practically wise

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G5429-02 φρόνιμοι phronimoi ADJ.P NOM M PL wise prudent ones 8
G5429-03 φρονίμοις phronimois ADJ.S DAT F PL to wise men to prudent ones 2
G5429-04 φρόνιμος phronimos ADJ.A NOM M SG wise prudent-minded man 2
G5429-01 φρονίμῳ phronimo ADJ.A DAT M SG to a prudent man 1

Occurrences in Scripture

13 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G5429-01 Matthew 7:24 φρονίμῳ phronimo ADJ.A DAT M SG to a prudent man
G5429-02 Matthew 10:16 φρόνιμοι phronimoi ADJ.P NOM M PL prudent ones
G5429-04 Matthew 24:45 φρόνιμος phronimos ADJ.A NOM M SG prudent-minded man
G5429-02 Matthew 25:2 φρόνιμοι phronimoi ADJ.P NOM F PL prudent ones
G5429-02 Matthew 25:4 φρόνιμοι phronimoi ADJ.S NOM F PL prudent ones
G5429-03 Matthew 25:8 φρονίμοις phronimois ADJ.S DAT F PL to prudent ones
G5429-02 Matthew 25:9 φρόνιμοι phronimoi ADJ.S NOM F PL prudent ones
G5429-04 Luke 12:42 φρόνιμος phronimos ADJ.R NOM M SG wise prudent-minded man
G5429-02 Romans 11:25 φρόνιμοι phronimoi ADJ.P NOM M PL wise prudent ones
G5429-02 Romans 12:16 φρόνιμοι phronimoi ADJ.P NOM M PL wise prudent ones
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