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βέβηλος

bébēlos

G952 attributive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Characterized by being outside sacred or set-apart boundaries; pertaining to what is common, not sacred, or not reserved for ritual or religious use. In differing contexts, the word conveys a sense of irreverence, impiety, or a lack of respect for what is held sacred, and can describe people, objects, or actions as being 'profane,' 'common,' or outside the domain of what is restricted for holy purposes.

Semantic Range

not sacred, common, profane, irreverent, unholy (in the sense of outside the sacred), not initiated, improper, disrespectful toward holy things

Root / Etymology

Derived from the Greek root βέβηλος, itself likely from βαίνω ('to go, step') and (per Strong) related to βάσις ('step, footing, threshold'); βέβηλος originally denoting 'accessible' or 'crossed over the threshold,' thus 'outside the sacred space.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, βέβηλος referred to that which was outside the temple precinct, not initiated, or unrelated to the sacred. In Hellenistic and later Koine usage—including the Septuagint and New Testament—it developed a pejorative sense: not merely non-sacred but also inappropriate, irreverent, or offensive to what is holy. In the New Testament (1 Tim 1:9; 4:7; 6:20; 2 Tim 2:16), βέβηλος often qualifies 'chatter' or 'myths,' meaning irreverent or worthless talk in contrast to sound teaching. The term can describe persons or actions that disregard established sacred boundaries. English translations like 'profane' or 'ungodly' usually convey the disapproving sense, but in earlier usage the word's primary contrast is between the sacred (ἱερός) and what is not designated sacred, rather than innate wickedness. Not to be confused with ἀνόσιος ('impious, unholy'), which emphasizes direct opposition to divine law. In the Greek Bible, βέβηλος is sometimes influenced by Hebrew חֹל (ḥol, 'common'), which designates what is not holy rather than morally debased. Later translation traditions render βέβηλος as 'profane' or 'heathenish,' but its primary sense is boundary-based rather than inherently evil.

Translation Consistency

primary "profane" 5 occurrences

βέβηλος most commonly denotes that something is not sacred—i.e., common or irreverent toward the holy. “Profane” captures the typical range (not sacred, common, irreverent/unholy) in natural English and matches the majority of existing renderings.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the base of βάσις and (a threshold); accessible (as by crossing the door-way), i.e. (by implication, of Jewish notions) heathenish, wicked:--profane (person).

Root Family

βέβηλος (bebēlos) — outside the sacred, common, profane, boundary-crossing

Root βέβηλ- to be outside, to cross boundary, to be common (not sacred)

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G952-03 βεβήλους bebelous ADJ.A ACC M PL profane profane ones profane 3
G952-02 βέβηλος bebelos ADJ.S NOM M SG profane a profane one a profane one 1
G952-01 βεβήλοις bebelois ADJ.S DAT M PL profane to profane ones to profane ones 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G952-01 1 Timothy 1:9 βεβήλοις bebelois ADJ.S DAT M PL profane to profane ones to profane ones
G952-03 1 Timothy 4:7 βεβήλους bebelous ADJ.A ACC M PL profane profane ones profane ones
G952-03 1 Timothy 6:20 βεβήλους bebelous ADJ.A ACC F PL profane profane ones profane
G952-03 2 Timothy 2:16 βεβήλους bebelous ADJ.A ACC F PL profane profane ones profane
G952-02 Hebrews 12:16 βέβηλος bebelos ADJ.S NOM M SG profane a profane one a profane one
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