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ἀσχημοσύνη

aschēmosýnē

G808 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Indecent or improper behavior or condition, especially with regard to physical nakedness or actions considered socially or morally shameful; in specific contexts, refers to the parts of the body regarded as 'shameful,' often euphemistically for the genitals. The term encompasses both literal and figurative notions of shame, disgrace, or lack of propriety.

Semantic Range

indecency, shame, shamefulness, that which is unseemly, impropriety, disgraceful act or state (especially nudity or sexual indecency), the genitals (euphemistically), disgrace

Root / Etymology

From the adjective ἀσχήμων ('unseemly, indecent, improper') with the abstract noun suffix -σύνη, forming a term for 'indecency' or 'shamefulness.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term ἀσχημοσύνη is rare in Greek literature, mostly appearing in later and Hellenistic contexts, particularly in moral or ethical discussions. In the Septuagint (e.g., Leviticus 18:6–19; 20:17), it frequently renders the Hebrew עֶרְוָה (ʿervah, 'nakedness, indecency'), often as a euphemism for the genitals or sexual shame. In the New Testament (e.g., Revelation 16:15), it denotes exposure involving shame or lack of propriety, again likely concerning nudity or sexual unseemliness, but also general disgrace. Earlier Greek used εἰδώς or αἰδώς for nuanced ideas of shame, but ἀσχημοσύνη carries a stronger sense of social or ritual indecency. English translations as 'shame,' 'shamefulness,' or 'that which is unseemly' often obscure the specifically bodily or sexual referents in certain contexts, especially where euphemism is intended.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀσχήμων; an indecency; by implication, the pudenda:--shame, that which is unseemly.

Root Family

ἀσχημοσύνη (aschēmosynē) — indecency, shamefulness, impropriety

Root ἀσχήμ- unseemly, shameful, improper

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G808-01 ἀσχημοσύνην aschemosunen N ACC F SG indecency indecency indecency 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G808-01 Romans 1:27 ἀσχημοσύνην aschemosunen N ACC F SG indecency indecency indecency
G808-01 Revelation 16:15 ἀσχημοσύνην aschemosunen N ACC F SG shame indecency indecency
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