421. anexichniastos

Lexicon

anexichniastos: Unsearchable, inscrutable, unfathomable

Original Word: ἀνεξιχνίαστος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: anexichniastos
Pronunciation: an-ex-ikh-nee'-as-tos
Phonetic Spelling: (an-ex-ikh-nee'-as-tos)
Definition: Unsearchable, inscrutable, unfathomable
Meaning: that cannot be explored, incomprehensible.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

past finding out; unsearchable.

From a (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of a compound of ek and a derivative of ichnos; not tracked out, i.e. (by implication) untraceable -- past finding out; unsearchable.

see GREEK a

see GREEK ek

see GREEK ichnos

HELPS Word-studies

421 aneksixníastos (literally, "not able to trace the steps of") – properly, impossible to "track" ("trace the steps of"); unable to follow or fully comprehend ("incomprehensible"); inscrutable, past finding out.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and exichniazó (to track out)
Definition
that cannot be traced out
NASB Translation
unfathomable (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 421: ἀνεξιχνίαστος

ἀνεξιχνίαστος, ἀνεξιχνίαστον (alpha privative and ἐξιχνιάζω to trace out), that cannot be traced out, that cannot be comprehended (A. V. unsearchable): Romans 11:33; Ephesians 3:8. (Job 5:9; Job 9:10; (Job 34:24); the Prayer of Manasses 6 (see the Sept., Tdf. edition, Proleg. § xxix.); several times in ecclesiastical writings.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek prefix ἀ- (a-, "not") and a derivative of ἐξιχνιάζω (exichniazo, "to trace out" or "to investigate"), which itself comes from ἴχνος (ichnos, "a track" or "footprint").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἀνεξιχνίαστος, similar concepts can be found in the Hebrew Scriptures, particularly in terms that describe God's incomprehensible nature. Some related Hebrew words include:

• H2714 חֵקֶר (cheqer): Meaning "search" or "investigation," often used in contexts where God's ways are described as beyond searching out (e.g., Job 5:9, "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted," BSB).

• H369 אֵין (ayin): Often used in phrases like "there is no searching" (e.g., Isaiah 40:28, "His understanding is beyond searching out," BSB).

These Hebrew terms, while not direct equivalents, convey similar themes of the divine attributes that are beyond human understanding.

Usage: The word ἀνεξιχνίαστος is used in the New Testament to describe the incomprehensible nature of God's wisdom and ways. It appears in contexts that emphasize the divine attributes that surpass human understanding.

Context: The Greek term ἀνεξιχνίαστος is used in the New Testament to highlight the profound and unfathomable aspects of God's nature and actions. It appears in two key passages:

• Romans 11:33: "O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways!" (BSB). In this verse, the Apostle Paul marvels at the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge, acknowledging that His judgments and ways are beyond human comprehension. The use of ἀνεξιχνίαστος underscores the idea that God's plans and purposes are inscrutable and cannot be fully understood by finite minds.

• Ephesians 3:8: "Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ," (BSB). Here, Paul speaks of the "unsearchable riches of Christ," indicating that the blessings and grace found in Christ are beyond human ability to fully grasp or quantify. The term ἀνεξιχνίαστος emphasizes the boundless and inexhaustible nature of what is available in Christ.

In both instances, ἀνεξιχνίαστος serves to remind believers of the vastness and mystery of divine wisdom and grace, encouraging a posture of humility and awe before God.

Forms and Transliterations

ανεξιχνίαστα ανεξιχνιαστοι ανεξιχνίαστοι ἀνεξιχνίαστοι ανεξιχνιαστον ανεξιχνίαστον ἀνεξιχνίαστον anexichniastoi anexichníastoi anexichniaston anexichníaston

Englishman's Concordance

Romans 11:33 Adj-NFP
GRK: αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀνεξιχνίαστοι αἱ ὁδοὶ
NAS: are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!
KJV: his ways past finding out!
INT: of him and untraceable the ways

Ephesians 3:8 Adj-AMS
GRK: εὐαγγελίσασθαι τὸ ἀνεξιχνίαστον πλοῦτος τοῦ
NAS: to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches
KJV: the Gentiles the unsearchable riches
INT: to preach the gospel the unsearchable riches

Strong's Greek 421
2 Occurrences

ἀνεξιχνίαστοι — 1 Occ.
ἀνεξιχνίαστον — 1 Occ.