ἄστοργος
ástorgos
G794 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Lacking familial affection or natural love; specifically, failing to show the care, loyalty, or affection expected in close kin relationships, such as between parent and child, or among siblings. In various contexts, it can extend to being emotionally cold, unfeeling, or hard-hearted toward those to whom affectionate bonds are normally due.
Semantic Range
lacking familial affection, without natural love, hard-hearted toward kindred, unfeeling toward family, lacking basic human empathy, heartless
Root / Etymology
Compound of ἀ- (a-, privative prefix meaning 'not' or 'without') and στοργή (storgē, 'affection,' especially of family affection or natural obligation). Thus, ἄστοργος means 'without storgē' or 'without (natural) affection.' The root στοργ- refers to the concept of natural affection, particularly between family members.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἄστοργος is a rare term in Greek literature, primarily attested in later Hellenistic and early Christian writings. Its main New Testament occurrences are in Romans 1:31 and 2 Timothy 3:3, typically in vice lists describing deficient or degraded social and moral qualities. In classical Greek, στοργή denotes the instinctual love or affection found especially in the family (e.g., between parents and children). The negative form (ἄστοργος) thus points to the absence of such natural emotional bonds; in Koine and Septuagint, its usage often aligns with a condemnation of societal breakdown or unnatural hardness. English translations often render ἄστοργος as 'without natural affection,' 'unloving,' or 'heartless,' but these may not fully convey the specifically familial or natural dimensions of the term. ἄστοργος contrasts with ἄφιλος ('without friendship') and ἀνέλεος ('merciless'), but highlights the lack of fundamental empathy or care where it is innately expected by human or cultural norms.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from Α (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of (to cherish affectionately); hard-hearted towards kindred:--without natural affection.
Root Family
ἄστοργος (astorgos) — without familial affection, lacking natural love, hard-hearted toward kindred
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G794-01 |
ἄστοργοι | astorgoi | ADJ.S NOM M PL |
without natural affection | without familial affection | without familial affection | 1 |
G794-02 |
ἀστόργους | astorgous | ADJ.S ACC M PL |
without natural affection | those without natural affection | those without natural affection | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G794-02 |
Romans 1:31 | ἀστόργους | astorgous | ADJ.S ACC M PL |
without natural affection | those without natural affection | those without natural affection |
G794-01 |
2 Timothy 3:3 | ἄστοργοι | astorgoi | ADJ.S NOM M PL |
without natural affection | without familial affection | without familial affection |