ἄτακτος
átaktos
G813 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Lacking proper order, discipline, or arrangement; primarily, behaving in an undisciplined, disorderly, or insubordinate manner. The word denotes someone or something that is out of proper alignment or order, especially in social or communal conduct. In particular contexts, it refers to persons who disregard rules or fail to conform to expected standards, especially within group or communal settings (such as among assemblies or congregations).
Semantic Range
not in order, disorderly, undisciplined, insubordinate, out of line, not conforming to expected norms
Root / Etymology
ἄτακτος is formed from the privative alpha (ἀ-) meaning 'not,' and the root τακτ- from τάσσω, 'to put in order, arrange.' Thus: 'not arranged,' 'not in order.' Closely related to Greek τάξις ('order, arrangement').
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἄτακτος described anything 'out of order,' including troops not in formation or conduct deemed disorderly. In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, the term is attested in moral, civic, and military contexts for those who act without discipline. In the New Testament (e.g., 2 Thessalonians 3:6–7, 11), ἄτακτος refers to community members who do not abide by established order, especially regarding communal responsibilities, labor, or instruction, connoting disruptive or insubordinate behavior rather than merely chaotic action. Standard English renderings such as 'unruly' or 'disorderly' only partially capture its nuance, which combines ideas of undisciplined conduct and refusal to accept expected social or communal norms. In the Septuagint and wider Koine usage, the term may be used more broadly for things or persons 'out of line,' including metaphorical, social, or institutional applications.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from Α (as a negative particle) and a derivative of τάσσω; unarranged, i.e. (by implication) insubordinate (religiously):--unruly.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G813-01 |
ἀτάκτους | ataktous | ADJ.S ACC M PL |
unruly | the disorderly ones | disorderly ones | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G813-01 |
1 Thessalonians 5:14 | ἀτάκτους | ataktous | ADJ.S ACC M PL |
unruly | the disorderly ones | disorderly ones |