← G82 G84 →

ἀδηλότης

adēlótēs

G83 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

State of uncertainty or indeterminacy; the quality or condition of not being clear, evident, or manifest. This noun describes the circumstance in which something is not clearly defined or is ambiguous, such as doubt regarding facts, events, or outcomes. In various contexts, it can refer to a lack of clear evidence or to an uncertain situation.

Semantic Range

uncertainty, lack of clarity, indeterminacy, ambiguousness, lack of manifest evidence or assurance

Root / Etymology

From ἄδηλος (adēlos, 'uncertain, unseen, unclear') with the abstract noun suffix -της (-tēs), forming a noun that expresses the state or quality of being uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Rare in extant Greek literature. In the New Testament, ἀδηλότης appears once (Colossians 2:2), describing 'the full assurance of understanding and knowledge of the mystery of God,' in contrast to uncertainty or hiddenness. In broader Koine usage, it can denote any state lacking clarity—cognate with adjectives describing things not made plain or uncertain. English translations, by rendering it as 'uncertainty,' may not fully convey the nuance of perceptual or cognitive unclarity inherent in ἀδηλότης. There is no significant shift in meaning between earlier and Koine Greek, though it remains a rare term overall. Compared to related words like ἀσάφεια ('obscurity'), ἀδηλότης specifically focuses on the lack of being clear or manifest, not necessarily on darkness or confusion itself.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἄδηλος; uncertainty:--X uncertain.

Root Family

ἀδηλότης (adēlotēs) — uncertainty, lack of clarity, indeterminacy, unmanifest state

Root ἄδηλ- to be unclear, to be unseen, to be uncertain

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G83-01 ἀδηλότητι adeloteti N DAT F SG uncertainty in uncertainty in uncertainty 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G83-01 1 Timothy 6:17 ἀδηλότητι adeloteti N DAT F SG uncertainty in uncertainty in uncertainty
← G82 Greek Lexicon G84 →