ἀσύνθετος
asýnthetos
G802 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Not keeping agreements; one who fails to abide by compacts or treaties. The primary lexical meaning is 'not fulfilling a covenant or agreement,' with contextual senses including 'faithless, treacherous, untrustworthy,' especially regarding solemn promises or binding arrangements.
Semantic Range
not fulfilling agreements, treacherous to compacts, faithless, untrustworthy, covenant-breaker, betrayer of trust
Root / Etymology
From the negative particle α- ('not') and a derivative of συντίθημι ('to put together, to make an agreement, to agree'). Thus, literally, 'not putting together' or 'not entering into/treating according to agreement.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἀσύνθετος is rare but signifies breach of agreement, especially in political or legal contexts. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the New Testament (Romans 1:31), it describes people who break treaties or do not honor solemn covenants, whether between individuals or groups. The nuance is relational or contractual: a person who does not adhere to commitments or pacts made, reflecting unreliability and betrayal of trust. Standard translations such as 'covenant-breaker' or 'faithless' do not always fully capture the term's contractual specificity, as it can relate to any breach of a binding agreement, not only formal religious covenants. The term contrasts with σύνθετος ('agreed, composite, arranged together'), stressing a lack of adherence to agreed-upon terms. While later translation traditions may use 'covenant-breaker,' the original scope is broader—referring to unfaithfulness toward any treaty, agreement, or pact, not solely religious compacts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from Α (as a negative particle) and a derivative of συντίθεμαι; properly, not agreed, i.e. treacherous to compacts:-- covenant-breaker.
Root Family
ἀσύνθετος (asýnthetos) — not keeping agreements, treacherous to compacts, covenant-breaking, untrustworthy
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G802-01 |
ἀσυνθέτους | asunthetous | ADJ.S ACC M PL |
covenant-breakers | agreement-breakers | agreement-breakers | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G802-01 |
Romans 1:31 | ἀσυνθέτους | asunthetous | ADJ.S ACC M PL |
covenant-breakers | agreement-breakers | agreement-breakers |