215. alalétos

Lexicon

alalétos: Inexpressible, unspeakable

Original Word: ἀλάλητος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: alalétos
Pronunciation: ah-lah-LAY-tos
Phonetic Spelling: (al-al'-ay-tos)
Definition: Inexpressible, unspeakable
Meaning: unutterable, that baffles words, unexpressed.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

unutterable, inexpressible.

From a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of laleo; unspeakable -- unutterable, which cannot be uttered.

see GREEK a

see GREEK laleo

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and laleó
Definition
inexpressible
NASB Translation
too deep (1), too deep for words (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 215: ἀλάλητος

ἀλάλητος, (λαλητός from λαλέω; (cf. Winers Grammar, 23)), not to be uttered, not to be expressed in words: στεναγμοί mute sighs, the expression of which is suppressed by grief, Romans 8:26 (others, 'which (from their nature) cannot be uttered'; cf. Meyer at the passage; Winers Grammar, 97 (92)). (Anth. Pal. 5, 4 συνίστορα ἀλαλήτων, i. e. of love-secrets.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: From the negative particle ἀ- (a-, "not") and a derivative of λαλέω (laleō, "to speak").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἀλάλητος, the concept of inexpressible or ineffable experiences can be related to Hebrew terms that describe the indescribable nature of God or divine encounters. For example:

- Strong's Hebrew 6381 (פָּלָא, pala): Often used to describe something wonderful or extraordinary, beyond human comprehension.
- Strong's Hebrew 3515 (כָּבֵד, kabed): Sometimes used metaphorically to describe something weighty or significant, which can imply something beyond full expression.

These Hebrew terms, while not direct equivalents, share the theme of transcending ordinary human experience, similar to the Greek ἀλάλητος.

Usage: The term ἀλάλητος is used in the New Testament to describe something that is beyond verbal expression, often in the context of spiritual experiences or divine communication.

Context: The Greek word ἀλάλητος appears in the New Testament in Romans 8:26. In this passage, the Apostle Paul writes about the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers, particularly in the context of prayer. The verse states: "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words" (BSB). Here, ἀλάλητος is translated as "too deep for words," indicating the profound and ineffable nature of the Spirit's intercession.

The use of ἀλάλητος highlights the limitations of human language in capturing the full depth of spiritual realities. It suggests that there are aspects of divine communication and spiritual experience that transcend human articulation. This aligns with the broader biblical theme that God's ways and thoughts are higher than human understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9).

In theological discussions, ἀλάλητος is often associated with the mystical and transcendent aspects of the Christian faith. It underscores the belief that the Holy Spirit plays an active and intimate role in the believer's life, particularly in guiding and empowering prayer. The concept of inexpressible groans suggests a deep, internal communication between the Spirit and God, bypassing the limitations of human language.

Forms and Transliterations

αλαλητοις αλαλήτοις ἀλαλήτοις alaletois alalētois alalḗtois

Englishman's Concordance

Romans 8:26 Adj-DMP
GRK: ὑπερεντυγχάνει στεναγμοῖς ἀλαλήτοις
NAS: for [us] with groanings too deep for words;
KJV: with groanings which cannot be uttered.
INT: makes intercession with groanings inexpressable

Strong's Greek 215
1 Occurrence

ἀλαλήτοις — 1 Occ.