← G760 G762 →

ἀσάλευτος

asáleutos

G761 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Not subject to shaking or disturbance, unmoved, firm; in extended sense, steadfast or unchangeable, particularly in contexts of enduring stability, whether literal or metaphorical. Core meaning is not able to be shaken; can describe physical stability (an unmovable object, a thing not shaken by earthquakes) or figurative steadfastness (a condition, state, or realm that cannot be disturbed).

Semantic Range

not shaken, unmoved, immovable; unshaken in condition, steadfast; unalterable, enduringly firm (often of realities, kingdoms, or principles)

Root / Etymology

From the privative prefix ἀ- (a-, not) and the verbal adjective σαλευτός (from σαλεύω, 'to shake'), hence 'not able to be shaken.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term ἀσάλευτος is rare in Greek literature and almost exclusively found within Jewish and early Christian Greek writings, including the Septuagint and the New Testament (e.g., Hebrews 12:28), where it can describe a 'kingdom' or reality that cannot be shaken or overthrown—contrasting the transience of earthly structures or kingdoms. The adjective retains a strong sense of physical immovability but frequently acquires metaphorical nuance of enduring, unfailing stability. In classical Greek, the root verb σαλεύω is attested with the meaning 'to shake, cause to move to and fro.' The negated form is well suited to Hellenistic-Jewish literature to express the steadfastness of divine realities. Modern translations sometimes render the word as 'immovable,' 'which cannot be shaken,' or 'steadfast,' but in Greek its primary sense is active—something that does not undergo being shaken, rather than passively resisting change. The term remained rare outside of religious or philosophical contexts in Koine Greek, and rarely appears in secular authors.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from Α (as a negative particle) and a derivative of σαλεύω; unshaken, i.e. (by implication) immovable (figuratively):--which cannot be moved, unmovable.

Root Family

ἀσάλευτος (asaleutos) — not shaken, unmoved, immovable, steadfast, unalterable

Root σαλευ- to shake, to cause to move to and fro

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G761-02 ἀσάλευτος asaleutos ADJ.S NOM F SG unmoveable unshakable unmovable 1
G761-01 ἀσάλευτον asaleuton ADJ.A ACC F SG that cannot be shaken unshaken (feminine singular accusative) unshaken 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G761-02 Acts 27:41 ἀσάλευτος asaleutos ADJ.S NOM F SG unmoveable unshakable unmovable
G761-01 Hebrews 12:28 ἀσάλευτον asaleuton ADJ.A ACC F SG that cannot be shaken unshaken (feminine singular accusative) unshaken
← G760 Greek Lexicon G762 →