Lexical Definition
ἀλήθεια alḗtheia (al-ay'-thi-a) truth G:N-F
from ἀληθής
true, X truly, truth, verity.
Abbott-Smith
ἀλήθεια, -ας, ἡ (< ἀληθής), [in LXX chiefly for אֱמֶת (on which, v. Cremer, 627f.), אֱמוּנָה;]
truth (v. DB, iv, 818f.).
1. Objectively, "the reality lying at the basis of an appearance; the manifested, veritable essence of a matter" (Cremer, 86): Ro 9:1, al.; of religious truth, Ro 1:25, al.; esp. of Christian doctrine, Ga 2:5, al.; ἀ. θεοῦ, Ro 15:8.
2. Subjectively, truthfulness, truth, not merely verbal (cl.), but sincerity and integrity of character: Jo 8:44, III Jo 3.
3. In phrases (MM, VGT, s.v.): ἐπ’ ἀληθείας, Mk 12:14, al.; ἀ. λέγειν (εἰπεῖν, λαλεῖν), Ro 9:1, II Co 12:6, Eph 4:25, al.; ἀ. ποιεῖν, Jo 3:21, I Jo 1:6 (cf. DB, iv, 818b, ff.).
Abbott-Smith References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Mark | 12:14 |
| John | 3:21 · 8:44 |
| Romans | 1:25 · 9:1 · 15:8 |
| 2 Corinthians | 12:6 |
| Galatians | 2:5 |
| Ephesians | 4:25 |
| 1 John | 1:6 |
| 3 John | 1:3 |
Liddell-Scott-Jones
ἀλήθεια-εια [ᾰλ], ἡ,
Doric dialect ἀλάθεια (also ἀλαθείᾱ[Refs 7th c.BC+] ἀληθεί; Ionic dialect ἀληθείη:
__I truth, opposed to lie or mere appearance:
__I.1 in [Refs 8th c.BC+] only opposed to a lie, frequently in phrase ἀληθείην καταλέξαι[Refs 8th c.BC+]; παιδὸς πᾶσαν ἀ. μυθεῖσθαι to tell whole truth about the lad, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; proverbial, οἶνος καὶ ἀ. `in vino veritas', Alc.[same place], etc.; ἁπλᾶ γάρ ἐστι τῆς ἀ. ἔπη[Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἀ. ἔχειν to be true, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__I.2 after [Refs 8th c.BC+] also truth, reality, opposed to appearance, σὺν ἀλαθείᾳ καλῶν[Refs 5th c.BC+] — in adverbial usages, τῇ ἀ. in very truth, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἐπὶ τῆς ἀληθείας καὶ τοῦ πράγματος in truth and reality, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; ἐπ᾽ ἀληθείᾳ for the sake of truth, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; also, according to truth and nature, [ἀλήθειαειον 4th c.BC: Aristoteles Philosophus “Politica” 1278b33, etc.:— ξὺν ἀληθείᾳ 4th-5th c.BC: Aeschylus Tragicus “Agamemnon” 1567:— πρὸς ἀλήθειαειαν 1st c.BC: Diodorus Siculus Historicus 5.67, etc. ">Refs 5th c.BC+]
__I.3 real war, opposed to exercise or parade, [Refs 2nd c.BC+]
__I.4 true event, realization of dream or omen, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__II of persons, truthfulness, sincerity, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__III *)a. personified, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__IV symbol of truth, jewel worn by Egyptian high-priest, [Refs 1st c.BC+]: of the Thummim, [LXX]
LSJ Scripture Refs: LXX.Lev.8.8