1500. eiké
Strong's Lexicon
eiké: In vain, without cause, for no purpose

Original Word: εἰκῇ
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: eiké
Pronunciation: ay-KAY
Phonetic Spelling: (i-kay')
Definition: In vain, without cause, for no purpose
Meaning: without a cause, purpose; purposelessly, in vain, for nothing.

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek root εἰκών (eikōn), meaning "image" or "likeness," but used in a different context to imply "without cause" or "in vain."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew equivalent often associated with the concept of "in vain" or "without cause" is שָׁוְא (shav', Strong's Hebrew 7723), which carries similar connotations of emptiness or futility.

Usage: The adverb εἰκῇ (eiké) is used in the New Testament to convey the idea of doing something without a valid reason, purpose, or result. It often implies futility or pointlessness in actions or beliefs. In a biblical context, it underscores the importance of intentionality and purpose in the life of a believer, warning against actions that are empty or without substance.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of purpose and intentionality was significant, both in philosophy and daily life. Actions were often evaluated based on their outcomes and the reasons behind them. The use of εἰκῇ in the New Testament reflects a broader cultural understanding that actions should be meaningful and purposeful, aligning with the biblical emphasis on living a life that honors God and fulfills His purposes.

HELPS Word-studies

1500 eikḗ – properly, without cause (ground), without basis and therefore not to be taken seriously (considered valid). This adverb suggests, "What goes to no purpose . . . ".

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
adverb probably akin to hekón
Definition
without cause or reason, vainly
NASB Translation
nothing (1), vain (4), without cause (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 1500: εἰκῇ

εἰκῇ (L WH Relz εἰκῇ; cf. Alexander Buttmann (1873) Ausf. Spr. ii., p. 342; Buttmann, 69 (61); (Winers Grammar, § 5, 4 e.; Jelf, § 324 Obs. 6; Kühner, § 336 Anm. 7; especially Etym. Magn. 78, 26f; and references under the word Iota)), adverb; in Greek writings from Aeschylus down;

1. inconsiderately, without purpose, without just cause: Matthew 5:22 R G Tr brackets; Romans 13:4 (i. e. 'not to hide it in the scabbard, but to draw it' Fritzsche); Colossians 2:18.

2. in vain; without success or effect: 1 Corinthians 15:2; Galatians 3:4; Galatians 4:11. (From Xenophon, Aeschylus down.)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
without a cause, in vain.

Probably from eiko (through the idea of failure); idly, i.e. Without reason (or effect) -- without a cause, (in) vain(-ly).

see GREEK eiko

Forms and Transliterations
εικη εική εἰκῇ εικοσαετούς εικοσαέτους eike eikē eikêi eikē̂i
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Romans 13:4 Adv
GRK: οὐ γὰρ εἰκῇ τὴν μάχαιραν
NAS: the sword for nothing; for it is a minister
KJV: not the sword in vain: for he is
INT: not indeed in vain the sword

1 Corinthians 15:2 Adv
GRK: εἰ μὴ εἰκῇ ἐπιστεύσατε
NAS: to you, unless you believed in vain.
KJV: unless ye have believed in vain.
INT: if not in vain you believed

Galatians 3:4 Adv
GRK: τοσαῦτα ἐπάθετε εἰκῇ εἴ γε
NAS: so many things in vain-- if
KJV: so many things in vain? if [it be] yet
INT: So many things did you suffer in vain if indeed

Galatians 3:4 Adv
GRK: γε καὶ εἰκῇ
NAS: if indeed it was in vain?
KJV: in vain? if [it be] yet in vain.
INT: indeed also in vain

Galatians 4:11 Adv
GRK: μή πως εἰκῇ κεκοπίακα εἰς
NAS: I have labored over you in vain.
KJV: you labour in vain.
INT: lest perhaps in vain I have toiled as to

Colossians 2:18 Adv
GRK: ἑόρακεν ἐμβατεύων εἰκῇ φυσιούμενος ὑπὸ
NAS: inflated without cause by his fleshly
KJV: not seen, vainly puffed up by
INT: he has seen detailing vainly puffed up by

Strong's Greek 1500
6 Occurrences


εἰκῇ — 6 Occ.















1499
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