ἀφροσύνη
aphrosýnē
G877 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Lack of sense or good judgment, folly. ἀφροσύνη primarily denotes the quality or state of being senseless, irrational, or foolish, whether in intellectual, practical, or moral spheres. It may refer to an incapacity or refusal to reason properly, flawed decision-making, heedlessness, or moral insensibility. The term often carries a strong connotation of culpability, indicating willful disregard for wisdom, prudence, or ethical conduct in various contexts.
Semantic Range
folly, senselessness, lack of understanding, irrationality, imprudence, moral recklessness, foolishness, lack of judgment
Root / Etymology
From ἄφρων (without sense, foolish, senseless) + the abstract noun suffix -σύνη, denoting a quality or state.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἀφροσύνη denoted a lack of practical or ethical sense, and could refer to reckless behavior or lack of self-control. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek—including the Septuagint and New Testament—it frequently describes a person whose decisions or actions ignore wisdom, reason, or moral instruction, often with blame implied. The word regularly contrasts with σοφία ('wisdom') and φρόνησις ('prudence,' 'practical intelligence'). In the Septuagint, it is used especially for the Hebrew אִוֶּלֶת (ivvelet, 'folly'), often in wisdom literature to typify self-destructive lack of discernment. In the New Testament (e.g., Mark 7:22; Romans 1:21), it denotes moral folly, irrationality, and inner corruption. English translations such as 'folly' or 'foolishness' sometimes miss the cultural gravity of the term, which can encompass not only intellectual but also moral, spiritual, or practical failure to live wisely. Unlike simple lack of information, ἀφροσύνη commonly stresses a failure to heed available wisdom or ethical norms.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἄφρων; senselessness, i.e. (euphemistically) egotism; (morally) recklessness:--folly, foolishly(-ness).
Root Family
ἀφροσύνη (aphrosynē) — senselessness, foolishness, lack of reason, moral recklessness
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G877-01 |
ἀφροσύνη | aphrosune | N NOM F SG |
foolishness | senselessness | 3 |
G877-02 |
ἀφροσύνης | aphrosunes | N GEN F SG |
of senselessness | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G877-01 |
Mark 7:22 | ἀφροσύνη | aphrosune | N NOM F SG |
foolishness | senselessness |
G877-02 |
2 Corinthians 11:1 | ἀφροσύνης | aphrosunes | N GEN F SG |
of senselessness | |
G877-01 |
2 Corinthians 11:17 | ἀφροσύνῃ | aphrosune | N DAT F SG |
senselessness | |
G877-01 |
2 Corinthians 11:21 | ἀφροσύνῃ | aphrosune | N DAT F SG |
senselessness |