Brief Overview of ἀληθής (Strong’s G227:)

The Greek word ἀληθής (alethēs) means “true,” “genuine,” or “real.” It is used to describe something that is in accordance with reality or fact, as opposed to false or counterfeit. In biblical contexts, it often refers to attributes of truthfulness and authenticity, whether concerning people, statements, or divine characteristics.

Detailed Overview

1. Strong’s Concordance:

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• G227 ἀληθής (alethēs): Strong’s Concordance defines ἀληθής as “true” or “genuine.” It is used to describe something that is faithful to its nature, not false or deceptive. This term is frequently applied to convey the authenticity and reliability of persons, statements, or divine attributes in the New Testament.

1. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• Thayer’s Lexicon describes ἀληθής as “true,” “genuine,” or “real,” emphasizing its application to things or statements that correspond with reality or truth. The lexicon notes that ἀληθής is used to describe things that are in agreement with the facts and not misleading or false. It can refer to both the truthfulness of statements and the authentic nature of objects or qualities.

1. Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon:

• The LSJ Lexicon defines ἀληθής as “true” and provides examples of its usage in both classical and biblical Greek. It highlights that ἀληθής is used to denote authenticity and truthfulness, distinguishing it from what is false or deceptive. The lexicon includes references to various contexts where ἀληθής conveys the idea of something being faithful to reality.

1. Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB) Lexicon:

• Although primarily focused on Hebrew, the BDB Lexicon includes entries related to Greek terms and confirms that ἀληθής means “true” or “genuine.” It aligns with the broader understanding of the term as describing attributes of truthfulness and authenticity.

In summary, ἀληθής (alethēs) translates to “true,” “genuine,” or “real,” and is used to describe things that are in alignment with reality or truth. Strong’s Concordance, Thayer’s Lexicon, the LSJ Lexicon, and the BDB Lexicon all support this definition, emphasizing the term’s use in indicating authenticity and truthfulness in various contexts.