ἀσέλγεια (G766) — Greek Lexicon

ἀσέλγεια

asélgeia

G766 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Unrestrained conduct; behavior marked by disregard for social norms and restraint, particularly relating to sensuality or sexual excess. Can also refer to shameless, insolent, or wantonly self-indulgent behavior—including, but not limited to, sexual licentiousness or moral debauchery. The primary sense is brazen or outrageous conduct flaunting public decency.

Semantic Range

wantonness, licentiousness, insolence, debauchery, unrestrained conduct, shameless disregard of social or moral norms, sexual excess, outrageously dissolute behavior

Root / Etymology

The etymology is uncertain. Ancient lexica sometimes connected it with the root of the adjective ἀσέλγης (aselgēs—intemperate, licentious, petulant), but the ultimate derivation remains unclear. The explanation provided by Strong linking it to 'A' as a negative particle is not supported by current scholarship; no reliable Greek stem can be isolated for -σέλγεια.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ἀσέλγεια denotes excess or overstepping boundaries, ranging from insolent arrogance to sexual wantonness and dissolute living. In Stoic and moralistic literature, the term characterizes a person who rejects social conventions and self-control, often with an air of shameless display. In the Septuagint and New Testament, it becomes a stock term in vice lists, usually denoting sexual immorality but occasionally encompassing broader forms of reckless or lawless behavior. English Bible translations often render it as 'lasciviousness,' 'lewdness,' or 'debauchery,' but these can obscure its wider reference to any shameless disregard for moral or social restraint. The nuance of insolence or flagrant disregard for decency is often prominent, especially in polemical contexts.

Translation Consistency

primary "shamelessness" 2 occurrences

ἀσέλγεια primarily denotes brazen, outrageous conduct that flaunts public decency — a shameless disregard of moral and social norms. “Shamelessness” is a natural, broad English noun that covers sexual licentiousness and non‑sexual insolence alike, matching the SILEX range and the common renderings (e.g., “brazen,” “shameless”). It is clear, natural, and consistent for all forms of this Lemma.

Alternatives (8 occurrences):

"brazen debauchery" (5x) "shameless excesses" (2x) "brazen unrestrained conduct" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a compound of Α (as a negative particle) and a presumed (of uncertain derivation, but apparently meaning continent); licentiousness (sometimes including other vices):--filthy, lasciviousness, wantonness.

Root Family

ἀσέλγ- (asélgeia) — excess, lack of restraint, shamelessness

Root ἀσέλγ- excess, lack of restraint, shamelessness

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G766-01`	ἀσέλγεια	aselgeia	`N NOM F SG`	lasciviousness	brazen debauchery	brazen debauchery	5
`G766-02`	ἀσελγείαις	aselgeiais	`N DAT F PL`	sensuality	to shameless excesses	to shameless excesses	4
`G766-03`	ἀσέλγειαν	aselgeian	`N ACC F SG`	lasciviousness	brazen unrestrained conduct	brazen unrestrained conduct	1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G766-01`	Mark 7:22	ἀσέλγεια	aselgeia	`N NOM F SG`	lasciviousness	brazen debauchery	brazen debauchery
`G766-02`	Romans 13:13	ἀσελγείαις	aselgeiais	`N DAT F PL`	sensuality	to shameless excesses	to shameless excesses
`G766-01`	2 Corinthians 12:21	ἀσελγείᾳ	aselgeia	`N DAT F SG`	lasciviousness	brazen debauchery	brazen debauchery
`G766-01`	Galatians 5:19	ἀσέλγεια	aselgeia	`N NOM F SG`	lasciviousness	brazen debauchery	brazen debauchery
`G766-01`	Ephesians 4:19	ἀσελγείᾳ	aselgeia	`N DAT F SG`	sensuality	brazen debauchery	brazen debauchery
`G766-02`	1 Peter 4:3	ἀσελγείαις	aselgeiais	`N DAT F PL`	sensuality	to shameless excesses	to shamelessnesses
`G766-02`	2 Peter 2:2	ἀσελγείαις	aselgeiais	`N DAT F PL`	sensualities	to shameless excesses	to shameless excesses
`G766-01`	2 Peter 2:7	ἀσελγείᾳ	aselgeia	`N DAT F SG`	sensuality	brazen debauchery	brazen debauchery
`G766-02`	2 Peter 2:18	ἀσελγείαις	aselgeiais	`N DAT F PL`	licentiousness	to shameless excesses	to shamelessnesses
`G766-03`	Jude 1:4	ἀσέλγειαν	aselgeian	`N ACC F SG`	lasciviousness	brazen unrestrained conduct	brazen unrestrained conduct

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