Strong's Lexicon alazoneia: Boastfulness, arrogance, pride Original Word: ἀλαζονεία Word Origin: Derived from ἀλαζών (alazōn), meaning "boastful" or "arrogant." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "alazoneia," similar concepts can be found in words like גַּאֲוָה (ga'avah), meaning "pride" or "arrogance," and זָדוֹן (zadon), meaning "insolence" or "presumptuousness." Usage: In the New Testament, "alazoneia" refers to a form of pride or arrogance that is often associated with an overestimation of one's own importance or abilities. It is a negative trait that is condemned as it leads individuals away from reliance on God and towards self-reliance and self-exaltation. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, boasting and arrogance were often seen as undesirable traits, particularly in philosophical circles that valued humility and self-control. However, in a society that also valued honor and status, boasting could be a way to assert one's position or achievements. The New Testament writers, influenced by Jewish teachings on humility and the example of Christ, consistently warn against such attitudes. HELPS Word-studies 212 alazoneía (a feminine noun derived from alē, "wandering, roaming") – properly, a vagabond ("quack"), making empty boasts about having "cures" to rid people of all their ills (even by producing "wonders," etc.). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alazón Definition boastfulness NASB Translation arrogance (1), boastful pride (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 212: ἀλαζονείαἀλαζονεία, and ἀλαζονία (which spelling, not uncommon in later Greek, T WH adopt (see Iota)), ἀλαζονείας, ἡ (from ἀλαζονεύομαι, i. e. to act the ἀλαζών, which see); a. in secular writings (from Aristophanes down) generally empty, bragqart talk sometimes also empty display in act, swagger. For illustration see Xenophon, Cyril 2, 2, 12; mem. 1, 7; Aristotle, eth. Nic. 4, 13, p. 1127, Bekker edition; (also Trench, § xxix.), b. "an insolent and empty assurance, which trusts in its own power and resources and shamefully despises and violates divine laws and human riqhts:" 2 Macc. 9:8; Wis. 5:8. c. an impious and empty presumption which trusts in the stability of earthly things, (R. V. vaunting): James 4:16 (where the plural has reference to the various occasions on which this presumption shows itself; (cf. Winers Grammar, § 27, 3; Buttmann, 77 (67))); τοῦ βίου, display in one's style of living, (R. V. vainglory), 1 John 2:16. From alazon; braggadocio, i.e. (by implication) self-confidence -- boasting, pride. see GREEK alazon Englishman's Concordance James 4:16 N-DFPGRK: ἐν ταῖς ἀλαζονείαις ὑμῶν πᾶσα NAS: But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all KJV: in your boastings: all such INT: in the arrogance of you all 1 John 2:16 N-NFS Strong's Greek 212 |
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