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ἀδίκημα

adíkēma

G92 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

An act of wrongdoing or injustice; specifically, a deed or action that violates what is right, fair, or just. The term emphasizes the result or manifestation of unrighteous behavior—often a specific offense, crime, or act of moral or legal misconduct. It can refer to the act itself (wrongdoing) or, in some legal contexts, to the matter or case involving such an act.

Semantic Range

act of injustice, wrongful deed, offense, transgression, matter of wrong, crime, legal case involving wrongdoing

Root / Etymology

From the verb ἀδικέω (adikéō, 'to do wrong, to act unjustly, to injure'), built on the root ἀδίκ- (adík-), meaning 'unjust' or 'wrong.' Formed with the neuter noun suffix -μα (-ma), which denotes the result or product of an action; thus, ἀδίκημα literally means 'a thing done unjustly' or 'an act of injustice.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀδίκημα denotes a wrongful deed or offense, generally in a moral or legal context. In the Hellenistic and Roman periods, it is used for both criminal and civil wrongs, especially in rhetorical or judicial texts. In the Septuagint, it often translates Hebrew words for offense or guilt, focusing on the specific deed. In the New Testament, its use is rare but refers to a concrete violation against divine or human law—a particular instance, not a generic tendency toward unrighteousness (cf. ἀδικία for the broader abstract quality). Standard English translations often use 'wrongdoing,' 'offense,' or 'matter of wrong,' but these may not fully capture the legal nuance of a completed act or case. The nuance of ἀδίκημα as a prosecutable offense is distinct from its adjective or abstract noun relatives (e.g., ἄδικος, ἀδικία).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀδικέω; a wrong done:--evil doing, iniquity, matter of wrong.

Root Family

ἀδίκημα (adíkēma) — act of injustice, wrongful deed, offense, crime

Root ἀδίκ- to do wrong, to act unjustly, to injure

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G92-01 ἀδίκημά adikema N NOM N SG evil doing act of injustice act of injustice 2
G92-02 ἀδικήματα adikemata N ACC N PL iniquities acts of injustice acts of injustice 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G92-01 Acts 18:14 ἀδίκημά adikema N NOM N SG wrong act of injustice act of injustice
G92-01 Acts 24:20 ἀδίκημα adikema N ACC N SG evil doing act of injustice act of injustice
G92-02 Revelation 18:5 ἀδικήματα adikemata N ACC N PL iniquities acts of injustice acts of injustice
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