3576. nóthros

Lexicon

nóthros: Sluggish, lazy, dull

Original Word: νωθρός
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: nóthros
Pronunciation: NO-thros
Phonetic Spelling: (no-thros')
Definition: Sluggish, lazy, dull
Meaning: blunt, dull, hence spiritually; sluggish, remiss, slack.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

dull, slothful.

From a derivative of nothos; sluggish, i.e. (literally) lazy, or (figuratively) stupid -- dull, slothful.

see GREEK nothos

HELPS Word-studies

3576 nōthrós – properly, slow, sluggish (LS); (figuratively) dull because slothful; lazy, inert, listless (lackadaisical).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
akin to nóthés (sluggish, slothful)
Definition
sluggish, slothful
NASB Translation
dull (1), sluggish (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3576: νωθρός

νωθρός, νωθρα, νωθρον (equivalent to νωθής, from νή (cf. νήπιος) and ὠθέω (to push; others, ὄθομαι to care about (cf. Vanicek, p. 879)), cf. νώδυνος, νώνυμος, from νή and ὀδύνη, ὄνομα), slow, sluggish, indolent, dull, lanuguid: Hebrews 6:12; with a dative of reference (Winers Grammar, § 31, 6 a.; Buttmann, § 133, 21), ταῖς ἀκοαῖς, of one who apprehends with difficulty, Hebrews 5:11; νωθρός καί παρειμένος ἐν τοῖς ἔργοις, Sir. 4:29; νωθρός καί παρειμένος ἐργάτης, Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 34, 1 [ET]. (Plato, Aristotle, Polybius, Dionysius Halicarnassus, Anthol., others) (Synonym: see ἀργός, at the end.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from a presumed derivative of the Greek word νωθής (nōthēs), meaning "sluggish" or "dull."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for νωθρός, similar concepts can be found in Hebrew words that convey laziness or slothfulness, such as עָצֵל (ʿāṣēl, Strong's Hebrew 6102), which is often used in the Old Testament to describe a lazy or slothful person. This term appears in Proverbs, where it serves as a warning against the dangers of laziness and the importance of diligence.

Usage: The word νωθρός appears in the New Testament to characterize a lack of diligence or zeal, especially in spiritual matters. It is used to admonish believers to be vigilant and active in their faith.

Context: The Greek term νωθρός is found in the New Testament in two key passages, both of which emphasize the importance of spiritual diligence and the dangers of complacency. In Hebrews 5:11, the author expresses concern over the readers' spiritual sluggishness, stating, "We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain, because you are dull of hearing." Here, νωθρός is translated as "dull," indicating a lack of receptivity to deeper spiritual truths.

In Hebrews 6:12, the term is used as a warning against spiritual laziness: "Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised." In this context, νωθρός is translated as "sluggish," contrasting the negative trait with the positive example of those who actively pursue their faith with perseverance.

The use of νωθρός in these passages serves as a caution to believers to remain vigilant and proactive in their spiritual growth, avoiding the pitfalls of apathy and indifference. The term underscores the necessity of maintaining a fervent and attentive approach to one's faith journey, ensuring that spiritual truths are not only heard but also acted upon.

Forms and Transliterations

νωθροι νωθροί νωθροὶ νωθροίς νωκήδ nothroi nothroì nōthroi nōthroì

Englishman's Concordance

Hebrews 5:11 Adj-NMP
GRK: λέγειν ἐπεὶ νωθροὶ γεγόνατε ταῖς
NAS: since you have become dull of hearing.
KJV: seeing ye are dull of hearing.
INT: to speak since sluggish you have become in the

Hebrews 6:12 Adj-NMP
GRK: ἵνα μὴ νωθροὶ γένησθε μιμηταὶ
NAS: so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators
KJV: ye be not slothful, but followers
INT: that not sluggish you be imitators

Strong's Greek 3576
2 Occurrences

νωθροὶ — 2 Occ.