ἀδικέω (adikeō)
adikeō
to harm
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 24 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb adikeō describes acting unjustly or causing harm, covering both moral wrongdoing and physical injury. Its core sense is to violate what is right, whether through social injustice against a person or direct damage to an object. In the New Testament, it appears in contexts ranging from Paul’s warnings about harming others (1 Corinthians 6:8) to apocalyptic visions of creatures that are forbidden to hurt specific groups (Revelation 9:4).
This word bridges ethical failure and tangible destruction. It is used transitively when someone wrongs another, as in Acts 7:27 where Moses intervenes to stop an oppressor. It also appears intransitively to describe a state of being unjust, such as in Revelation 22:11, which contrasts the persistent character of those who remain unrighteous. The term captures the full scope of injustice, from legal offenses to personal injury.
Its etymology links it directly to adikos, meaning "unjust" or "wicked." This root connection emphasizes that the action stems from a fundamental deviation from justice rather than mere accident. Translators often render it as "wrong," "hurt," or "injure," depending on whether the context involves moral guilt or physical damage, reflecting its dual capacity to describe sin and suffering.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word adikeō reminds us that injustice leaves a mark, whether it appears as a legal grievance or a personal injury. In our daily lives, we often worry about being treated unfairly by others. This verb captures that deep sense of violation, showing how actions can wound relationships and damage trust. It is not just about breaking rules; it is about the tangible harm done to another person.
Yet there is hope in how Scripture handles this reality. When Paul stands before Caesar, he declares he has done no wrong, finding peace in his integrity even when misunderstood. Similarly, Jesus assures us that true authority protects us from the power of the enemy. We are called to pursue justice, but we can rest knowing that God sees every act of harm and every instance of unfairness.
This word invites us to examine our own hands before judging others. It encourages a life where we seek to do no wrong, trusting that God is the ultimate judge who restores what injustice has broken. In a world where harm is common, we can find comfort in the promise that evil will not have the final word.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 24 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to harm,2×
- I do wrong2×
- you may injure.1×
- wrong1×
- we have wronged,1×
- to injure1×
- to harm1×
- they will harm1×
- they injure.1×
- suffering1×
- suffer wrong?1×
- mistreating1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀδικῶν3×
- ἀδικῶ2×
- ἀδικῆσαι,2×
- ἀδικῆσαι2×
- ἀδικεῖτε2×
- ἠδίκησέν1×
- ἠδίκησεν1×
- ἠδίκησα,1×
- ἠδικήσατε.1×
- ἠδικήσαμεν,1×
- ἀδικήσῃς.¶1×
- ἀδικήσῃ.1×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 6:8
No, but you yourselves do wrong and defraud, and that against your brothers.
Paul uses this verb to confront believers who are actively harming their own brothers, highlighting the severity of internal church conflict.
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Acts 7:27
But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?
This verse shows the word in action as Moses intervenes to stop an oppressor from wronging his neighbor, illustrating its use for physical injustice.
-
Revelation of John 9:4
They were told that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only those people who don’t have God’s seal on their foreheads.
Here the command is not to hurt specific people, showing how the word applies to divine judgments that spare those marked by God.
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Matthew 20:13
“But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Didn’t you agree with me for a denarius?
The employer uses this term to defend his fairness, demonstrating its application in legal and contractual disputes over wages.