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ἀπελεγμός

apelegmós

G557 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Direct refutation; a demonstration or declaration that exposes an argument, claim, or person as false, often with a nuance of public discredit or reproach. The term can carry the sense of sharp rebuke or a rebuttal resulting in someone being shown as invalid or worthless.

Semantic Range

refutation, exposure as false, rebuttal in debate, public discredit or contempt, declaration of worthlessness

Root / Etymology

From the compound preposition ἀπό ('from, away') and the verb ἐλέγχω ('to expose, convict, rebut, reprove'). It literally carries the sense of 'a refutation away' or 'a rebuttal that results in setting aside.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

Attested outside the New Testament primarily in literary Greek, the word is rare and not found in the Septuagint or canonical New Testament writings; its usage reflects the rhetorical culture of public debate, especially in classical and hellenistic contexts, where an ἀπελεγμός could designate the exposing or negating of an opponent’s argument. The sense of 'contempt' (as per some later usage and translations: e.g., 'accounted as nought') indicates that such refutation could publicly disgrace or shame the one refuted. English translations that render it as 'nought' capture the implication of being rendered worthless, but may obscure the active dimension of rebuttal or exposure. The term is semantically close to ἔλεγχος but with the prefix ἀπό intensifying the sense of complete or outward refutation.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a compound of ἀπό and ἐλέγχω; refutation, i.e. (by implication) contempt:--nought.

Root Family

ἀπελεγμός (apelegmos) — refutation, exposure, rebuttal, public discredit

Root ἐλεγ- to expose, to refute, to reprove

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G557-01 ἀπελεγμὸν apelegmon N ACC M SG disrepute a direct refutation disrepute 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G557-01 Acts 19:27 ἀπελεγμὸν apelegmon N ACC M SG disrepute a direct refutation disrepute
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