Understanding ἀχειροποίητος (acheiropoiētos) Strong’s G886: The Divine Craftsmanship Beyond Human Hands

Pronunciation Guide: ah-khay-ro-POY-ay-tos

Basic Definition

Strong’s G886: ἀχειροποίητος (acheiropoiētos) refers to something “not made with hands” or “not of human construction.” This powerful adjective describes what is divinely crafted or supernaturally created, beyond human capability. It emphasizes the direct work of יהוה (Yahweh) that transcends human effort, skill, or intervention. The term stands in stark contrast to χειροποίητος (cheiropoiētos), which designates that which is manufactured by human hands.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Adjective
• Word Origin: Compound word from ἀ- (a-, negative prefix, “not”) + χειροποίητος (cheiropoiētos, “made with hands”)
• Language Origin: Koine Greek
• Primary Usage: Theological contexts, particularly discussing spiritual realities, the temple, and resurrection
• Frequency: Rare, appears only 3 times in the New Testament
• Literary Context: Found in narrative (Mark) and epistolary (Paul’s letters) literature

ἀχειροποίητος Morphology:

• ἀχειροποίητος (nominative masculine/feminine singular) – not made with hands
• ἀχειροποίητον (accusative masculine/feminine singular) – not made with hands (object form)
• ἀχειροποιήτῳ (dative masculine/feminine singular) – in/with/by that not made with hands

Origin & History

The term ἀχειροποίητος emerges from a rich conceptual background in Jewish thought regarding divine versus human creation. While the compound word itself is not found in classical Greek literature, its opposite, χειροποίητος (cheiropoiētos), appears frequently in the Septuagint (LXX) as a translation for Hebrew terms describing idols and pagan temples made by human hands, often with negative connotations.

In the Septuagint, the concept of divine versus human craftsmanship is emphasized in texts like Isaiah 66:1-2, where יהוה declares that human-made temples cannot contain Him, as “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool… all these things My hand has made.” The negative form ἀχειροποίητος appears to have been developed within Jewish-Christian circles to express the superiority of divine workmanship over human efforts, especially regarding the new covenant and spiritual temple that the Messiah would establish. Philo of Alexandria, the Jewish philosopher, uses similar language when discussing the difference between divine and human work in his treatise “On the Creation” (De Opificio Mundi).

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Divine Construction – That which is made directly by God without human involvement
• Supernatural Creation – Something created through spiritual rather than physical means
• Eternal Building – A structure or reality that transcends temporal, physical limitations
• Heavenly Craftsmanship – That which originates from heaven rather than earth

ἀχειροποίητος Translation Options:

• “Not made with hands” – The most literal translation, emphasizing the absence of human craftsmanship
• “Divinely crafted” – Emphasizes the positive aspect of God’s direct involvement
• “Supernatural” – Captures the transcendent nature beyond physical creation
• “Of divine origin” – Highlights the source rather than the method of creation
• “Not of human construction” – Emphasizes the contrast with normal human building processes

Biblical Usage

The term ἀχειροποίητος appears at a pivotal moment in the Messiah’s trial in Mark 14:58, where false witnesses claim Jesus said He would destroy the temple “made with hands” (χειροποίητον) and build another “not made with hands” (ἀχειροποίητον). Though the testimony was distorted, it reflects Yeshua’s teaching about His body as the true temple and the new covenant He was establishing. This represents a profound theological shift from physical to spiritual reality.

The Apostle Paul employs this term in his letters to emphasize the surpassing glory of spiritual realities over physical ones. In 2 Corinthians 5:1, he contrasts our temporary earthly bodies with the eternal “building from God, a house not made with hands [ἀχειροποίητον]” awaiting believers in heaven. Similarly, in Colossians 2:11, Paul describes true circumcision as spiritual rather than physical—a circumcision “not performed by human hands” [ἀχειροποιήτῳ].

• “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands [χειροποίητον], and in three days I will build another not made with hands‘ [ἀχειροποίητον].” Mark 14:58
• “For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands [ἀχειροποίητον], eternal in the heavens.” 2 Corinthians 5:1
• “And in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands [ἀχειροποιήτῳ], in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of the Messiah.” Colossians 2:11

Cultural Insights

In the first-century Jewish world, the Jerusalem Temple stood as the pinnacle of human architectural achievement and religious significance. Herod’s magnificent renovation of the Temple was considered one of the wonders of the Roman world. The Jewish historian Josephus described visitors to Jerusalem as being awestruck by its gleaming gold and white marble facade that “appeared from a distance like a mountain covered with snow.” This physical temple, though magnificent, was the quintessential example of what was χειροποίητος (made with hands).

The concept of ἀχειροποίητος carried revolutionary implications in this historical context. For Jews, the Temple represented God’s dwelling place on earth, yet the term suggested something far greater was coming—a spiritual reality that would supersede even their most sacred physical space. This connects profoundly to the Hebrew prophetic tradition, particularly Ezekiel’s vision of the river flowing from the Temple (Ezekiel 47) and Jeremiah’s prophecy of a new covenant written on hearts rather than stone (Jeremiah 31:31-34). When Yeshua and later Paul used this terminology, they were signaling the fulfillment of these ancient prophecies—that God’s presence would no longer be confined to a building but would dwell within His people.

Theological Significance

The concept of ἀχειροποίητος reveals a fundamental theological truth about God’s redemptive work—it cannot be accomplished through human effort but must come directly from Him. This term embodies the transition from the old covenant to the new, from external religion to internal transformation, from the letter of the law to the Spirit. It represents the radical difference between human religious striving and divine grace.

In each of its New Testament occurrences, ἀχειροποίητος points to יהוה’s superior craftsmanship in three key areas of salvation: the new temple (Christ’s resurrected body and the church), the new dwelling (our eternal resurrection bodies), and the new covenant (spiritual circumcision of the heart). All three represent divine realities that human hands cannot create or replicate. This terminology emphasizes God’s omnipotence—He alone can create ex nihilo, bring life from death, and transform hearts from within. The term stands as a profound theological marker of divine initiative in salvation, reinforcing that redemption comes not through human works but through God’s sovereign grace.

When applied to the resurrection body in 2 Corinthians 5, ἀχειροποίητος beautifully captures the miraculous nature of our future glorification. Just as Adam was formed directly by God’s hands rather than human procreation, so our resurrection bodies will be directly fashioned by God Himself—immortal, incorruptible, and perfectly suited for eternal communion with Him. This reveals יהוה’s loving commitment to completely restore and perfect His beloved creation.

Personal Application

The concept of ἀχειροποίητος invites us to release our grip on self-reliance and human-made solutions. In a world that celebrates human achievement and self-improvement, this term reminds us that true transformation—whether of our circumstances, our character, or our eternal destiny—must come from God’s hands, not our own. When we face seemingly impossible situations, the truth of ἀχειροποίητος reminds us that יהוה specializes in creating what human hands cannot.

This truth should humble us and simultaneously fill us with hope. We need not exhaust ourselves trying to build our own righteousness, fix our deepest problems, or earn God’s favor. Instead, we can rest in the reality that the Messiah is building something in and through us that far exceeds what we could construct ourselves. Our role is to yield to His craftsmanship, trusting that His divine handiwork in our lives—though often invisible to human eyes—is creating an eternal reality more beautiful and lasting than anything we could manufacture on our own.

Related Words

• χειροποίητος (cheiropoiētos) – “made with hands,” referring to human-made objects or structures, particularly idols or temples. Unlike ἀχειροποίητος, this term often carries negative connotations of that which is temporary or inferior to God’s work. See G5499
• θεόκτιστος (theoktistos) – “created by God,” emphasizing divine origin and craftsmanship. While ἀχειροποίητος emphasizes what something is not (not made by humans), θεόκτιστος positively states what something is (made by God). See G2316
• αἰώνιος (aiōnios) – “eternal, everlasting,” often paired with ἀχειροποίητος to contrast the temporary nature of human craftsmanship with the permanence of divine work. See G166
• πνευματικός (pneumatikos) – “spiritual,” describing that which belongs to or is influenced by the Spirit of God rather than material or physical reality. Similar to ἀχειροποίητος in emphasizing supernatural rather than natural origin. See G4152
• καινός (kainos) – “new, of a new kind,” often used in the New Testament to describe the new covenant, new creation, and other divine realities that supersede the old order. Complements ἀχειροποίητος in emphasizing God’s transformative work. See G2537

Did you Know?

• Did you know? The concept behind ἀχειροποίητος appears in ancient Jewish tradition regarding the final temple described in apocalyptic literature. The Apocalypse of Baruch (4:3-7) mentions a heavenly temple shown to Adam, Abraham, and Moses that would descend to earth in the last days. This “not made with hands” temple was believed to be pre-existent in heaven, created directly by יהוה Himself—a concept that illuminates why the early believers could so readily embrace the idea of the Messiah’s body and the church as the true temple.
• Did you know? In Orthodox Christian tradition, certain miraculous icons are described as acheiropoieta (plural form), meaning “not made by human hands.” The most famous is the Image of Edessa, believed to be an impression of Yeshua’s face on cloth. These images were venerated as direct divine creations rather than human artwork. While potentially problematic from a biblical perspective, this tradition shows how the concept of divine versus human craftsmanship extended beyond Scripture into Christian cultural practice.
• Did you know? Modern medical science has inadvertently created a parallel to the theological concept of ἀχειροποίητος with the term “autologous,” referring to tissues or cells that originate within the patient’s own body rather than being artificially manufactured or coming from a donor. Just as spiritual realities that are ἀχειροποίητος come directly from God rather than human intervention, autologous healing processes work from within rather than being imposed from outside. This scientific concept offers a helpful analogy for understanding how God’s regenerative work operates organically within us rather than being externally applied.

Remember This

ἀχειροποίητος reminds us that our ultimate hope rests not in what human hands can build, but in what only God’s hands can create—an eternal dwelling, a spiritual temple, and a transformed heart that will endure when all human monuments have turned to dust.