449. aniptos

Lexicon

aniptos: Unwashed

Original Word: ἀνίπτος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: aniptos
Pronunciation: ah-NEEP-tos
Phonetic Spelling: (an'-ip-tos)
Definition: Unwashed
Meaning: unwashed, ceremonially unclean.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

unwashed.

From a (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of nipto; without ablution -- unwashen.

see GREEK a

see GREEK nipto

HELPS Word-studies

449 ániptos (from 1 /A "not" and 3538 /níptō, "wash") – properly, not washed; (figuratively) unclean in the ceremonial (religious) sense.

What made something ceremonially "unclean"?

This issue in Judaism was unfortunately defined by confused rabbis rather than Scripture. Accordingly, Jesus had to exposed it for the oppressive, fruitless legalism that it was.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and niptó
Definition
unwashed
NASB Translation
unwashed (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 449: ἄνιπτος

ἄνιπτος, ὄν (νίπτω to wash), unwashed: Matthew 15:20; Mark 7:2, and R L marginal reading in 5. (Homer, Iliad 6, 266, etc.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek prefix ἀ- (a-), meaning "not" or "without," and νίπτω (nipto), meaning "to wash."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἀνίπτος, the concept of ritual washing is prevalent in the Old Testament, often associated with terms like רָחַץ (rachats, Strong's Hebrew 7364), which means "to wash" or "to bathe." This reflects the broader cultural and religious practices concerning purity and cleanliness in ancient Israelite society.

Usage: The term ἀνίπτος is used in the New Testament to describe hands that have not been ceremonially washed, particularly in the context of Jewish ritual practices.

Context: The Greek term ἀνίπτος appears in the New Testament in contexts that highlight the Jewish customs of ritual purity, particularly concerning the washing of hands. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus addresses the Pharisees and some of the scribes who question Him about His disciples eating with "unwashed" hands. This term is used to emphasize the traditional practices of the elders, which were not necessarily rooted in the Mosaic Law but had become customary over time.

In Mark 7:2, the Berean Standard Bible reads: "and they saw some of His disciples eating with hands that were defiled—that is, unwashed." Here, ἀνίπτος is used to describe the state of the disciples' hands, which had not undergone the ritual washing that the Pharisees deemed necessary for maintaining ceremonial cleanliness.

The use of ἀνίπτος in this passage serves to illustrate a broader theological point made by Jesus regarding the nature of true purity. He challenges the external focus on ritualistic practices, emphasizing instead the importance of inner moral and spiritual cleanliness. This confrontation with the Pharisees underscores the tension between Jesus' teachings and the established religious traditions of the time.

The concept of being "unwashed" is not merely about physical cleanliness but is symbolic of a deeper spiritual truth. Jesus' response to the Pharisees highlights the distinction between human traditions and divine commandments, urging a return to the heart of God's law, which prioritizes love, mercy, and justice over ritualistic observance.

Forms and Transliterations

ανιπτοις ανίπτοις ἀνίπτοις aniptois aníptois

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 15:20 Adj-DMP
GRK: τὸ δὲ ἀνίπτοις χερσὶν φαγεῖν
NAS: but to eat with unwashed hands
KJV: to eat with unwashen hands
INT: moreover with unwashed hands eating

Mark 7:2 Adj-DMP
GRK: τοῦτ' ἔστιν ἀνίπτοις ἐσθίουσιν τοὺς
NAS: with impure hands, that is, unwashed.
KJV: that is to say, with unwashen, hands,
INT: that is unwashed eating the

Strong's Greek 449
2 Occurrences

ἀνίπτοις — 2 Occ.