Original Word: ἄφωνος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: aphónos
Pronunciation: ah-fo'-nos
Phonetic Spelling: (af'-o-nos)
Definition: Mute, silent, without voice
Meaning: soundless, voiceless, speechless, dumb.

Word Origin: From the Greek prefix ἀ- (a-, "without") and φωνή (phonē, "voice" or "sound")

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - H457 (אֵלִיל, 'elil): Often translated as "worthless" or "vain," referring to idols.

- H483 (אִלֵּם, 'illem): Meaning "mute" or "dumb," used in contexts describing idols or those unable to speak.

Usage: The Greek word "aphónos" is used to describe something that is mute or silent, lacking the ability to produce sound or voice. In the New Testament, it is often used metaphorically to describe idols or false gods that are unable to speak or respond, highlighting their impotence and the futility of worshiping them.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the ancient Greco-Roman world, idolatry was prevalent, with many people worshiping gods represented by statues and images. These idols were often crafted from wood, stone, or metal and were considered sacred by their worshipers. However, from a biblical perspective, these idols were lifeless and powerless, unable to communicate or act. The use of "aphónos" in the New Testament underscores the contrast between the living God of Israel and the silent idols of the pagans.

Word Origin
from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and phóné
Definition
without voice, i.e. speechless
NASB Translation
mute (2), silent (1), without meaning (1).

STRONGS NT 880: ἄφωνος

ἄφωνος, ἁφῶν (φωνή), voiceless, dumb; without the faculty of speech; used of idols, 1 Corinthians 12:2 (cf. Psalm 115:5 (); Habakkuk 2:18); of beasts, 2 Peter 2:16. 1 Corinthians 14:10 τοσαῦτα γένη φωνῶν καί οὐδέν αὐτῶν (L T Tr WH omit αὐτῶν) ἄφωνον, i. e. there is no language destitute of the power of language (R. V. text no kind (of voice) is without signification) (cf. the phrases βίος ἀβίωτος a life unworthy of the name of life, χάρις ἄχαρις). used of one that is patiently silent or dumb: ἀμνός, Acts 8:32 from Isaiah 53:7. (In Greek writings from (Theog.), Pindar, Aeschylus down.)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

speechless, mute, silent

From a (as a negative particle) and phone; voiceless, i.e. Mute (by nature or choice); figuratively, unmeaning -- dumb, without signification.

see GREEK a

see GREEK phone

Forms and Transliterations

αφωνα άφωνα ἄφωνα αφωνον άφωνον ἄφωνον αφωνος άφωνος ἄφωνος aphona aphōna áphona áphōna aphonon aphōnon áphonon áphōnon aphonos aphōnos áphonos áphōnos

Links

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