Strong's Lexicon mataios: Vain, futile, worthless, empty Original Word: μάταιος Word Origin: Derived from the Greek root "μάτην" (matēn), meaning "in vain" or "futile." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew equivalent often associated with "μάταιος" is "הֶבֶל" (hebel), Strong's Hebrew #1892, which also means vanity or emptiness, as seen in Ecclesiastes. Usage: The Greek word "μάταιος" (mataios) is used in the New Testament to describe something that is devoid of truth, purpose, or value. It often conveys the idea of emptiness or futility, particularly in the context of human endeavors or beliefs that are not grounded in God’s truth. In a biblical sense, it highlights the contrast between the eternal significance of God's word and the transient, often deceptive nature of worldly pursuits. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of "vanity" or "futility" was often associated with the philosophical understanding of the transient nature of life and the ultimate meaninglessness of pursuits that are not aligned with divine or higher purposes. The biblical authors, writing within this cultural milieu, used "μάταιος" to critique idolatry, false teachings, and the empty rituals that characterized much of pagan worship. This term served as a reminder to early Christians to focus on the eternal truths of the Gospel rather than the fleeting and often deceptive allure of worldly wisdom and practices. HELPS Word-studies 3152 mátaios (an adjective derived from 3155 /mátēn, "without purpose or ground") – properly, aimless (vain), without purpose; (figuratively) without profit because without basis, i.e. fleeting (transitory), ineffectual ("groundless"). 3152 /mátaios ("aimless") emphasizes the "absence of purpose or failure to attain any true purpose" (Moulton and Milligan). 3152 (mátaios) refers to what is "vain, unreal, ineffectual, unproductive" (Souter). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as matén Definition vain, useless NASB Translation futile (1), useless (1), vain things (1), worthless (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3152: μάταιοςμάταιος, μάταια (1 Corinthians 15:17; (1 Peter 1:18)), μάταιον, also μάταιος, μάταιον (James 1:26; Titus 3:9) (cf. WHs Appendix, p. 157; Winer's Grammar, § 11, 1) (from μάτην), the Sept. for הֶבֶל, שָׁוְא, כָּזָב (a lie), etc.; as in secular authors (Latincanus) devoid of force, truth, success, result (A. V. uniformly vain): universally, ἡ θρησκεία, James 1:26; useless, to no purpose, ἡ πίστις, 1 Corinthians 15:17; foolish, διαλογισμοί, 1 Corinthians 3:20; ζητήσεις, Titus 3:9; given to vain things and leading away from salvation, ἀναστροφή, 1 Peter 1:18. τά μάταια, vain things, vanities, of heathen deities and their worship (הֶבֶל, Jeremiah 2:5; Jeremiah 10:3; הַהֶבֶל אַחֲרֵי יָלַך, πορεύεσθαι ὀπίσω τῶν ματαίων, 2 Kings 17:15; הֲבָלִים, μάταια, Jeremiah 8:19; εἴδωλα, Deuteronomy 32:21; Jeremiah 14:22): Acts 14:15. (Cf. Trench, Synonyms, § xlix.) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance vain, vanity. From the base of maten; empty, i.e. (literally) profitless, or (specially), an idol -- vain, vanity. see GREEK maten Forms and Transliterations ματαια ματαία μάταια μάταιά μάταιαι ματαίαν ματαιας ματαίας ματαιοι μάταιοι ματαίοις μάταιον ματαιος μάταιος ματαίους ματαίω ματαιων ματαίων mataia mataía mataias mataías mataioi mátaioi mataion mataiōn mataíon mataíōn mataios mátaiosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 14:15 Adj-GMPGRK: τούτων τῶν ματαίων ἐπιστρέφειν ἐπὶ NAS: from these vain things to a living KJV: from these vanities unto the living INT: these vanities to turn to 1 Corinthians 3:20 Adj-NMP 1 Corinthians 15:17 Adj-NFS Titus 3:9 Adj-NMP James 1:26 Adj-NMS 1 Peter 1:18 Adj-GFS Strong's Greek 3152 |
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