SILEX Revision Notes
Strong's Concordance was first published in 1890. While it remains an invaluable reference, advances in linguistics, archaeology, and textual studies over the past 130 years have revealed areas where its glosses can be improved. These revision notes document where the Scattered Israelites Lexicon (SILEX) corrects or clarifies Strong's entries based on modern Biblical scholarship.
ἐπιούσιος G1967 (epioúsios)
The revised gloss states that the etymology is uncertain, in contrast to the original gloss which confidently proposes possible derivations. The revised cautions against asserting specific roots due to lack of clear parallels in Greek literature, directly correcting the original's etymological claims.
ἐπιῤῥάπτω G1976 (epirrháptō)
The revised gloss corrects the etymology, identifying the root as ῥάπτω rather than the base of ῥαφίς, as in Strong's. This clarifies the actual verb root in Greek, correcting Strong's gloss.
ἐπίσταμαι G1987 (epístamai)
The revised gloss corrects the original etymology, stating that the connection to ἐφίστημι (with νοῦς implied) is incorrect. Instead, it clarifies ἐπίσταμαι derives from ἐπί ('upon') and ἵστημι ('to stand'), and notes that νοῦς ('mind') is not implied in the formation.
Ἀαρών G2 (Aarṓn)
The revised gloss specifies that the Hebrew etymology of Aaron is uncertain, correcting the original's simple statement of Hebrew origin by noting the lack of scholarly consensus and mentioning additional etymological proposals.
ἐπισφαλής G2000 (episphalḗs)
The revised gloss corrects the etymology given in the original. Strong's leaves the verb root unspecified and supplies only a meaning ('to trip'), whereas the revised specifies the correct Greek root σφάλλω ('to cause to stumble or fall').
ἐπιτήδειος G2006 (epitḗdeios)
The revised gloss corrects the original's implied etymology; Strong's links it to 'enough', but the revised shows the derivation is from 'epi' (upon) and a purpose/action suffix, and that the exact derivation is debated, not definitively from 'enough.'
ἐπίτροπος G2012 (epítropos)
The revised gloss notes that the etymology connecting ἐπίτροπος directly to τρόπος is debated and not certain, correcting the original's more confident claim about its composition. Also, the revised gloss uses τρέπω (to turn) instead of τρόπος, and notes that the etymology is broadly about oversight, but not definitively traced.
ἀκροατής G202 (akroatḗs)
The original gloss incorrectly suggests the term is an intensive of ἀκούω, while the revised gloss clarifies that it derives from ἀκροάομαι, related to ἀκούω. This corrects the original etymological claim.
ἐπιφώσκω G2020 (epiphṓskō)
The original gloss claims ἐπιφώσκω is a form of ἐπιφαύω, but the revised gloss clarifies the etymology, relating it instead to the preposition ἐπί and the verb φώσκω, not ἐπιφαύω. This corrects the original's root derivation.
ἀκροβυστία G203 (akrobystía)
The original gloss claims the term is derived from ἄκρον and probably a modified form of 'the penis or male sexual organ,' which is vague and speculative. The revised gloss corrects this by relating the second element to βύω (to cover), and explicitly states the exact formation is uncertain, reflecting greater caution and up-to-date etymological research.
ἐπόπτης G2030 (epóptēs)
The revised gloss corrects the original's assertion that the second component derives from ὀπτάνομαι, specifying instead a connection to ὁράω and noting that derivation from ὀπτάνομαι is probable but not certain. This corrects the Strong's gloss's overconfident claim about its etymology.
ἔργον G2041 (érgon)
The revised gloss corrects the original's claim that ἔργον is from a primary but obsolete verb meaning 'to work.' The updated gloss clarifies that the precise original verbal root is not attested in Greek, though it is derived from the Indo-European root 'erg-.' This corrects the Strong's assertion of a direct Greek verbal origin.
ἐρεθίζω G2042 (erethízō)
The revised gloss clarifies that the derivation from ἔρις is likely but the precise morphological development is debated, which corrects the original's more simplistic and confidently asserted etymology from a 'presumed prolonged form' of ἔρις.
ἐρείδω G2043 (ereídō)
The revised gloss clarifies that the etymology is uncertain with no securely identified root, correcting Strong's phrase 'of obscure affinity.' This updates and specifies that no clear root exists, rather than linking it to any speculative origin.
ἐρευνάω G2045 (ereunáō)
The revised gloss corrects the original Strong's etymology, stating that the precise derivation is uncertain, whereas the original presents a direct derivation from ἐρέω. This is a material correction regarding the word's origin.
ἐρέω G2046 (eréō)
The revised gloss corrects the original's etymology by noting that the connection to ῥέω ('to flow') is uncertain and not linguistically established, whereas the original asserts this connection as probable.
ἔριφος G2056 (ériphos)
The original gloss asserts a possible derivation from ἔριον, but the revised gloss qualifies this by stating the exact linguistic connection is uncertain, correcting the impression of a clear etymological link.
ἑρμηνεύω G2059 (hermēneúō)
The revised gloss corrects the original's assertion that the verb is from a presumed derivative of Ἑρμῆς by clarifying that the precise verbal origin is uncertain and suggesting the association is more semantic than morphological. This removes an overconfident etymological claim by Strong's.
Ἑρμῆς G2060 (Hermēs)
The revised gloss corrects the original etymology: Strong's derived 'Hermes' from ἐρέω ('to speak'), but the updated gloss states this is not the true origin and the name's derivation is uncertain, though tradition links it to the Greek deity Hermes.
ἔρχομαι G2064 (érchomai)
The revised gloss corrects the original's etymological claim that ἔρχομαι is 'of a primary verb', clarifying that its origin is uncertain and its forms are supplied by related verbs. The revised gloss also omits Strong's list of supplied forms, which can be misleading. This correction is etymological in nature.
ἐρωτάω G2065 (erōtáō)
The revised gloss clarifies that the etymology is debated; it challenges the certainty of Strong's claim of derivation from ἐρέω and distinction from ἐρευνάω, indicating that these connections are less direct than the original implies.
ἐσθίω G2068 (esthíō)
The revised gloss clarifies that the root of ἐσθίω is uncertain, correcting the original Strong's statement that references a 'primary' root. This improves accuracy regarding the etymology.
Ἐσλί G2069 (Eslí)
The original gloss asserts with some probability that Esli is derived specifically from the Hebrew name Elyeho‘enai (אֶלְיְהוֹעֵינַי), while the revised gloss states that the precise Hebrew origin is uncertain and only sometimes associated with that name. This corrects the original's overconfident etymological claim.
ἔσοπτρον G2072 (ésoptron)
The original gloss asserts that ἔσοπτρον is formed from εἰς and a derivative of ὀπτάνομαι, while the revised gloss notes that the exact formation is uncertain and relates it more generally to roots for 'seeing.' This corrects the specific etymological claim made in Strong's original gloss.
ἔσχατος G2078 (éschatos)
The revised gloss corrects the original's confident etymology by stating the root derivation from ἔχω is uncertain and debated, rather than probable.
ἑτεροδιδασκαλέω G2085 (heterodidaskaléō)
The revised gloss corrects the etymology, noting that the compound is from 'heteros' and 'didaskō' (to teach), whereas the original wrongly derives it from 'heteros' and 'didaskalos' (teacher). This is a material correction of the word's formation.
ἔτι G2089 (éti)
The SIBI gloss corrects the original by stating that the etymology is uncertain and that the connection to ἔτος is only a debated possibility, whereas Strong's asserts the connection more confidently with 'perhaps akin to ἔτος.'
ἕτοιμος G2092 (hétoimos)
The revised gloss corrects Strong's claim that the word derives from an 'old noun (fitness),' noting that this specific noun is not attested in classical sources and that the precise derivation is uncertain.
ἔτος G2094 (étos)
The original Strong's gloss incorrectly claims ἔτος is 'apparently a primary word,' suggesting a known root, whereas the revised gloss clarifies that the etymology is uncertain and does not assert a specific derivation.
εὖ G2095 (eû)
The original gloss claims εὖ is the neuter of a primary adjective 'good,' while the revised gloss states its origin is uncertain and not specifically tied to an attested primary adjective, correcting the etymology.
ἀγαλλιάω G21 (agalliáō)
The revised gloss clarifies that the etymology is somewhat uncertain, whereas the original asserts a direct derivation from 'agan' and 'hallomai.' The revised treatment also notes that the idea of 'jumping' for joy is metaphorical, correcting the more literal gloss in Strong's.
Εὔβουλος G2103 (Eúboulos)
The original gloss derives the name from 'εὖ' and 'βούλομαι' (to will), whereas the revised gloss derives it from 'εὖ' and 'βουλή' (counsel, will). The revised corrects the etymology, indicating the proper second component is 'βουλή' rather than 'βούλομαι.'
εὐδία G2105 (eudía)
The original gloss asserts a derivation from Zeus for δῖα, while the revised gloss notes that this connection is uncertain and likely traditional rather than linguistically definitive.
εὐθύς G2117 (euthýs)
The original gloss asserts an etymology from εὖ and τίθημι, while the revised gloss notes this derivation is uncertain and possibly incorrect; the revised gloss prefers a more nuanced and cautious etymological assessment.
ἀλαζών G213 (alazṓn)
The revised gloss corrects Strong's etymological certainty, indicating the etymology is uncertain and the connection to 'vagrancy' is debated. Strong's presents 'vagrancy' as the root without qualification, while the SIBI gloss notes scholarly disagreement.
εὑρίσκω G2147 (heurískō)
The revised gloss corrects the original's implication of a clear primary root for εὑρίσκω, stating instead that its root is of uncertain origin and its ultimate derivation is debated.
Εὐροκλύδων G2148 (Euroklýdōn)
The revised gloss corrects the original's certainty about the etymology, clarifying that the derivation from 'east wind' (εὖρος) and 'surging wave' (κλύδων) is probable but uncertain and may involve local or nautical influences. The original also gives a specific direction ('from the east' or 'a Levanter') which is rendered imprecise or incorrect by modern scholarship, as the storm is better understood as a violent northeasterly wind.
Εὔτυχος G2161 (Eútychos)
The revised gloss corrects the etymology provided in the original. The original claims the name is from εὖ and a derivative of τυγχάνω, while the revised gloss specifies it derives from εὖ and τύχη rather than τυγχάνω, clarifying the Greek roots and reflecting more accurate lexical scholarship.
Εὐφράτης G2166 (Euphrátēs)
The revised gloss clarifies that while the name Euphrates corresponds to the Hebrew Perat, its exact linguistic derivation is uncertain, correcting the original's implication of a direct derivation.
εὔχομαι G2172 (eúchomai)
The revised gloss corrects Strong's claim that the verb is of a primary root, noting instead that the etymology is uncertain. This removes unwarranted etymological specificity from the original.
ἀλείφω G218 (aleíphō)
The revised gloss rejects Strong's suggested etymology connecting ἀλείφω to 'A' (particle of union) and 'liparos,' stating that this derivation is not accepted in modern scholarship. The etymology is now considered uncertain.
Ἔφεσος G2181 (Éphesos)
The revised gloss clarifies that the origin of 'Ephesus' is of uncertain origin—possibly pre-Greek or from a non-Indo-European source—correcting the original's vague attribution to 'foreign origin.' This updates the etymological understanding.
ἐφικνέομαι G2185 (ephiknéomai)
The original Strong's gloss derives the verb from ἥκω, while the revised gloss correctly notes the connection is debated and that ἱκνέομαι is more accurate as the related root. The revised gloss corrects the etymology, indicating the Strong's derivation may be uncertain or incorrect.
Ἐφραίμ G2187 (Ephraím)
The original Strong's gloss incorrectly suggests two Hebrew origins (אֶפְרַיִם or עֶפְרוֹן), with the latter (עֶפְרוֹן) being erroneous and unrelated. The revised gloss clarifies that the true derivation is from אֶפְרַיִם and notes the etymology is debated.
ἐφφαθά G2188 (ephphathá)
The SIBI gloss corrects the original's claim that the word is of 'Chaldee' (Chaldean) origin, noting that this is an outdated term and that the proper source is Aramaic, specifically a Judean dialect. The original's reference to Chaldee is inaccurate for this context.
ἐχθρός G2190 (echthrós)
The original gloss claims a derivation from a primary 'to hate', while the revised gloss identifies the root as μισέω (miseō, 'to hate'), and notes the formation is uncertain. Thus, the revised gloss corrects the original's assumed etymology.
ἔχω G2192 (échō)
The revised gloss corrects the original by noting that the etymology is uncertain, whereas the original implied it was a primary verb with assumed clear origin. The revised gloss explicitly denies a clear derivation. The definitions themselves do not materially disagree, but the etymological claim is corrected.
Ζεβεδαῖος G2199 (Zebedaîos)
The revised gloss clarifies the etymology, correcting Strong's suggestion to compare with זַבְדִּי (Zabdi) and instead identifies the more likely Hebrew origin as זְבַדְיָה (Zevadyah). This corrects an incorrect or imprecise etymological identification in the original gloss.
ἀλέκτωρ G220 (aléktōr)
The revised gloss corrects the original gloss's confident etymology claim ('from (to ward off)') by stating the etymology is uncertain and that the suggested derivation is possible but not established.
ζευκτηρία G2202 (zeuktēría)
The revised gloss corrects the original's claim of a clear derivational pathway by stating that while ζευκτηρία is derived from the root of ζυγός, the specific derivational pathway is unclear. The original asserts it is a feminine derivative at the second stage from the same as ζυγός, but the revised gloss points out the etymology is not so certain.