Brief Overview of ἄρρητος (G731: arrētos)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: arrētos

Root Words:

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• ἄρρητος (arrētos): Derived from the Greek prefix ἄ- (a-) meaning “not” and ῥῆτος (rētos), from ῥητός (rētos) meaning “spoken” or “uttered.”

Primary Meanings:

• Unutterable: The term ἄρρητος means “unutterable” or “unspeakable,” referring to something so profound or sacred that it cannot be expressed in words.
• Inexpressible: It denotes things that are beyond verbal expression due to their majesty or mystery.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG: BDAG defines ἄρρητος as “unutterable” or “unspeakable,” focusing on its use to describe things that cannot be fully expressed in words due to their grandeur or sacredness. It often denotes the ineffability of divine or mystical experiences.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon describes ἄρρητος as “unutterable” or “unspeakable,” emphasizing its application to things that are beyond human articulation.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary also notes that ἄρρητος means “inexpressible” or “unspeakable,” indicating its use for things too great or sacred to be adequately conveyed through speech.

LSJ: The LSJ Lexicon defines ἄρρητος as “unutterable” or “unspeakable,” used for describing things that are beyond the limits of verbal expression.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s defines ἄρρητος as “unspeakable,” consistent with its use to denote things that cannot be articulated.

Bible Verses:

• 2 Corinthians 12:4 (KJV): “How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”
• ἄρρητος is used to describe the “unspeakable words” heard by Paul, indicating their profound nature.
• 1 Peter 1:8 (KJV): “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.”
• Here, ἄρρητος is used to describe “joy unspeakable,” indicating a joy so great it cannot be fully expressed.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

In classic Greek literature, ἄρρητος is used to describe profound or sacred concepts:

• Plato’s Dialogues (circa 4th century BC): Refers to philosophical concepts that are so profound they cannot be fully articulated.
• Aristotle’s Metaphysics (circa 4th century BC): Uses the term in discussions of metaphysical concepts that are beyond verbal description.
• Euripides’ Plays (circa 5th century BC): Applies ἄρρητος to divine or mystical experiences that transcend human expression.

4. Summary:

ἄρρητος (G731: arrētos) means “unutterable” or “unspeakable,” derived from Greek roots meaning “not” and “spoken.” It describes things that are beyond verbal expression due to their profound or sacred nature. BDAG and other lexicons consistently define it in terms of ineffability and inexpressibility. In classic Greek literature, ἄρρητος is used to refer to concepts or experiences that surpass human articulation, emphasizing its application to the divine or mysterious.