ἀτακτέω
ataktéō
G812 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To act in a disorderly, undisciplined, or disruptive manner; to deviate from accepted orderliness or proper conduct. In extended uses, it denotes failing to adhere to prescribed norms—whether moral, social, or communal—especially in contexts emphasizing group standards or discipline.
Semantic Range
to act disorderly, to behave in an undisciplined manner, to be idle or neglectful of communal responsibilities, to depart from accepted order
Root / Etymology
From ἄτακτος ('disorderly, unruly, out of line'), itself formed from alpha privative ἀ- ('not') + τάσσω ('to arrange, order, appoint'). Thus, ἀτακτέω literally means 'to act out of order, to be unarranged.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἀτακτέω is rare but aligns with the broader sense of disorderliness associated with ἄτακτος, particularly in the context of military or social order. In Koine and particularly in early Christian texts, the word commonly designates behavior that fails to observe accepted standards within a community, especially idleness, insubordination, or withdrawal from shared work or customs (e.g., 2 Thessalonians 3:6-7, 11). The term conveys more than mere unruliness; it often has a communal sense, indicating actions that disrupt the order, discipline, or harmony of the group. English translations sometimes render it as 'behave disorderly,' but the Greek implies a more active resistance to communal expectations or discipline—including laziness or failing to contribute as socially expected. Unlike related terms for moral evil or criminal acts (e.g., κακουργέω), ἀτακτέω focuses on the breakdown of order, especially in collective settings. The traditional translation 'behave self disorderly' may understate its particular stress on neglect of communal responsibilities, especially those related to work and supporting oneself.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἄτακτος; to be (i.e. act) irregular:--behave self disorderly.
Root Family
τακτ- (taktós) — to arrange, to put in order, to appoint
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G812-01 |
ἠτακτήσαμεν | etaktesamen | V AOR ACT IND 1P PL |
we behaved disorderly | we acted out of order | we acted out of order | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G812-01 |
2 Thessalonians 3:7 | ἠτακτήσαμεν | etaktesamen | V AOR ACT IND 1P PL |
we behaved disorderly | we acted out of order | we acted out of order |