ἄφωνος
áphōnos
G880 predicate adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Lacking voice or sound; primarily, unable to speak, mute or silent (by nature, defect, or circumstance). In extended or figurative contexts, lacking capacity for meaningful utterance or communication – especially used of inanimate objects (such as idols) that cannot speak or respond.
Semantic Range
voiceless, mute (unable to speak), silent, incapable of producing sound, inanimate (of objects or idols), without meaningful speech
Root / Etymology
From the negative alpha (ἀ-) prefixed to φωνή (‘voice, sound’), literally ‘without voice’ or ‘voiceless’.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἄφωνος described living beings without the power of speech (animals, mutes, or infants), or anything incapable of producing sound (silent objects, musical instruments when not played). In Hellenistic and Koine periods (including Septuagint and New Testament), the word is frequently used of idols, stressing their incapacity to respond to worship or prayer (e.g., LXX Psalm 113:13; 1 Corinthians 12:2). This polemic use underscores the contrast between lifeless images and a living deity. English ‘dumb’ or ‘mute’ sometimes renders ἄφωνος, but may obscure nuances in the context of non-human referents or polemical passages. The term does not connote stupidity or foolishness, but solely the lack or incapacity for audible utterance or meaningful sound. The figurative extension ‘without meaning’ emerges in later rhetorical or philosophical contexts, but is rare in biblical usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from Α (as a negative particle) and φωνή; voiceless, i.e. mute (by nature or choice); figuratively, unmeaning:--dumb, without signification.
Root Family
ἄφωνος (aphōnos) — voiceless, mute, without sound or utterance
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G880-02 |
ἄφωνον | aphonon | ADJ.P NOM N SG |
mute | voiceless (neuter singular) | mute | 2 |
G880-03 |
ἄφωνος | aphonos | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
silent | voiceless | silent | 1 |
G880-01 |
ἄφωνα | aphona | ADJ.R ACC N PL |
mute | voiceless things | voiceless things | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G880-03 |
Acts 8:32 | ἄφωνος | aphonos | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
silent | voiceless | silent |
G880-01 |
1 Corinthians 12:2 | ἄφωνα | aphona | ADJ.R ACC N PL |
mute | voiceless things | voiceless things |
G880-02 |
1 Corinthians 14:10 | ἄφωνον | aphonon | ADJ.P NOM N SG |
without signification | voiceless (neuter singular) | voiceless |
G880-02 |
2 Peter 2:16 | ἄφωνον | aphonon | ADJ.A NOM N SG |
mute | voiceless (neuter singular) | mute |