804. asphalés

Lexicon

asphalés: Safe, secure, certain, reliable

Original Word: ἀσφαλής
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: asphalés
Pronunciation: as-fah-LACE
Phonetic Spelling: (as-fal-ace')
Definition: Safe, secure, certain, reliable
Meaning: (lit: unfailing), safe, reliable, trustworthy, certain, sure.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

certain, safe, sure.

From a (as a negative particle) and sphallo (to "fail"); secure (literally or figuratively) -- certain(-ty), safe, sure.

see GREEK a

HELPS Word-studies

804 asphalḗs (from 1 /A "not" and sphallō, "totter, cast down") – properly, secure because on solid footing, i.e. built on what does not totter (fall, slip); hence, "unfailing, safe, reliable, trustworthy" (Souter).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and sphalló (to trip up)
Definition
certain, secure
NASB Translation
certain (1), definite (1), facts (1), safeguard (1), sure (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 804: ἀσφαλής

ἀσφαλής, ἀσφαλές (σφάλλω to make to totter or fall, to cheat (cf. Latinfallo, German fallen, etc., English fall, fail), σφάλλομαι to fall, to reel) (from Homer down);

a. firm (that can be relied on, confided in): ἄγκυρα, Hebrews 6:19 (where I, and Tr have received as the form of accusative singular ἀσφαλην (Tdf.7ἀσφαλην; cf. Tdf. at the passage; Delitzsch, commentary at the passage) see ἄρσην). Tropically, certain, true: Acts 25:26; τό ἀσφαλές, Acts 21:34; Acts 22:30.

b. suited to confirm: τίνι, Philippians 3:1 (so Josephus, Antiquities 3, 2, 1).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek prefix "α-" (a-, meaning "not") and "σφάλλω" (sphallō, meaning "to trip" or "to fall"). The combination suggests a state of being "not liable to fall" or "secure."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἀσφαλής, similar concepts of security and certainty can be found in Hebrew words such as בָּטַח (batach, Strong's Hebrew 982), meaning "to trust" or "to be confident," and אָמַן (aman, Strong's Hebrew 539), meaning "to confirm" or "to support." These terms reflect the Old Testament emphasis on trust and reliability in God's character and promises.

Usage: The word ἀσφαλής is used in the New Testament to describe something that is secure or certain. It appears in contexts where assurance and reliability are emphasized.

Context: The Greek term ἀσφαλής is used in the New Testament to denote a state of security and certainty. It is found in passages where the reliability of a statement or the security of a situation is highlighted. For example, in Acts 21:34, the term is used to describe the inability to ascertain the truth due to the uproar: "Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, and some another. And since the commander could not determine the facts because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be brought into the barracks." Here, ἀσφαλής underscores the difficulty in obtaining a secure or certain understanding amidst chaos.

In Acts 22:30, the term is again used to describe the desire for certainty regarding accusations against Paul: "The next day the commander, wanting to learn the real reason Paul was accused by the Jews, released him and ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to assemble. Then he brought Paul down and set him before them." The use of ἀσφαλής in this context reflects the pursuit of a secure and reliable understanding of the situation.

The concept of ἀσφαλής is significant in the Christian faith, as it aligns with the broader biblical theme of seeking truth and assurance in God's promises. The term reminds believers of the security found in faith and the certainty of God's word.

Forms and Transliterations

ασφαλείς ασφαλες ασφαλές ἀσφαλές ἀσφαλὲς ασφαλη ασφαλή ἀσφαλῆ ασφαλής asphale asphalê asphalē asphalē̂ asphales asphalés asphalès

Englishman's Concordance

Acts 21:34 Adj-ANS
GRK: γνῶναι τὸ ἀσφαλὲς διὰ τὸν
NAS: not find out the facts because
KJV: not know the certainty for the tumult,
INT: to know the certainty on account of the

Acts 22:30 Adj-ANS
GRK: γνῶναι τὸ ἀσφαλὲς τὸ τί
NAS: to know for certain why
KJV: have known the certainty wherefore
INT: to know the certainty the why

Acts 25:26 Adj-ANS
GRK: περὶ οὗ ἀσφαλές τι γράψαι
NAS: nothing definite about
KJV: I have no certain thing to write
INT: concerning whom definite anything to write

Philippians 3:1 Adj-NNS
GRK: ὑμῖν δὲ ἀσφαλές
NAS: trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.
KJV: but for you [it is] safe.
INT: for you moreover [is] safe

Hebrews 6:19 Adj-AFS
GRK: τῆς ψυχῆς ἀσφαλῆ τε καὶ
NAS: a [hope] both sure and steadfast
KJV: of the soul, both sure and stedfast,
INT: of the soul sure both and

Strong's Greek 804
5 Occurrences

ἀσφαλῆ — 1 Occ.
ἀσφαλὲς — 4 Occ.