762. asbestos
Lexicon
asbestos: Unquenchable, inextinguishable

Original Word: ἄσβεστος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: asbestos
Pronunciation: as'-bes-tos
Phonetic Spelling: (as'-bes-tos)
Definition: Unquenchable, inextinguishable
Meaning: inextinguishable, unquenchable.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
unquenchable.

From a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of sbennumi; not extinguished, i.e. (by implication) perpetual -- not to be quenched, unquenchable.

see GREEK a

see GREEK sbennumi

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and sbestos (quenched, extinguished)
Definition
unquenched, unquenchable
NASB Translation
unquenchable (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 762: ἄσβεστος

ἄσβεστος, ἄσβεστον (σβέννυμι), unquenched (Ovid,inexstinctus), unquenchable (Vulg.inexstinguibilis): πῦρ, Matthew 3:12; Luke 3:17; Mark 9:43, and R G L brackets in 45. (Often in Homer; πῦρ ἄσβεστος of the perpetual fire of Vesta, Dionysius Halicarnassus, Antiquities 1, 76; (of the fire on the altar, Philo de ebriet. § 34 (Mang. i. 378); de vict. off. § 5 (Mang. 2:254); of the fire of the magi, Strabo 15 (3) 15; see also Plutarch, symp. 50:7, probl. 4; Aelian nat. an. 5, 3; cf. Heinichen on Eusebius, h. e. 6, 41, 15).)

Topical Lexicon
Word Origin: Derived from the Greek prefix "α-" (a-, meaning "not") and "σβέννυμι" (sbennymi, meaning "to quench" or "to extinguish").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of unquenchable fire in the Old Testament is often associated with divine judgment and is reflected in several Hebrew terms. While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent to ἄσβεστος, similar ideas can be found in passages such as Isaiah 66:24, where the worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched, using the Hebrew word "כָּבָה" (kabah, Strong's H3518) for "quenched." Another related term is "אֵשׁ" (esh, Strong's H784), meaning "fire," which is used in contexts of divine judgment and purification.

Usage: The term ἄσβεστος is used in the New Testament to describe something that cannot be extinguished or put out, often in the context of fire.

Context: The Greek word ἄσβεστος appears in the New Testament to convey the idea of something that is perpetual and cannot be quenched. This term is most notably used in the context of divine judgment and the eternal nature of punishment. In the Berean Standard Bible, ἄσβεστος is used to describe the fire of Gehenna, a metaphor for the final judgment and the eternal consequences of sin.

The concept of an unquenchable fire is rooted in the imagery of divine retribution and purification. In the New Testament, it serves as a solemn warning of the seriousness of sin and the reality of eternal separation from God for those who reject His salvation. The use of ἄσβεστος underscores the permanence and irrevocability of God's judgment.

In Mark 9:43, Jesus warns, "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and go into hell, into the unquenchable fire." Here, ἄσβεστος emphasizes the eternal nature of the consequences of sin and the importance of radical repentance.

The imagery of unquenchable fire is also found in Matthew 3:12, where John the Baptist speaks of the coming Messiah: "His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." This passage highlights the dual role of the Messiah as both Savior and Judge, separating the righteous from the wicked.

Forms and Transliterations
ασβεστον άσβεστον ἄσβεστον ασβεστω ασβέστω ἀσβέστῳ ασβόλην asbesto asbestō asbéstoi asbéstōi asbeston ásbeston
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 3:12 Adj-DNS
GRK: κατακαύσει πυρὶ ἀσβέστῳ
NAS: up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
KJV: the chaff with unquenchable fire.
INT: he will burn up with fire unquenchable

Mark 9:43 Adj-ANS
GRK: πῦρ τὸ ἄσβεστον
NAS: into hell, into the unquenchable fire,
KJV: the fire that never shall be quenched:
INT: fire unquenchable

Mark 9:45 Adj-ANS
GRK: πῦρ τὸ ἄσβεστον
KJV: the fire that never shall be quenched:
INT: fire unquenchable

Luke 3:17 Adj-DNS
GRK: κατακαύσει πυρὶ ἀσβέστῳ
NAS: up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
KJV: he will burn with fire unquenchable.
INT: he will burn with fire unquenchable

Strong's Greek 762
4 Occurrences


ἀσβέστῳ — 2 Occ.
ἄσβεστον — 2 Occ.















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