◄ 3153. mataiotés ►
Strong's Lexicon mataiotés: Vanity, futility, emptiness Original Word: ματαιότης Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: mataiotés Pronunciation: mah-tah-yot'-ace Phonetic Spelling: (mat-ah-yot'-ace) Definition: vanity, emptiness, unreality, purposelessness, ineffectiveness, instability, frailty; false religion. Meaning: The term ματαιότης refers to vanity, futility, or emptiness. It conveys the idea of something that is devoid of real value, purpose, or significance. Word Origin: Derived from ματαιόω (mataioō), meaning "to make empty, vain, or futile." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • 1892 הֶבֶל (hebel): Often translated as "vanity" or "breath," this term is used extensively in Ecclesiastes to describe the fleeting and insubstantial nature of life and human endeavors. • 7385 רִיק (riq): Meaning "emptiness" or "vanity," this term is used to convey the idea of something that is void of substance or value. These Hebrew terms parallel the Greek ματαιότης in expressing the concept of life's futility apart from God, emphasizing the need for divine purpose and eternal perspective. Usage: The word ματαιότης is used in the New Testament to describe the transient and futile nature of worldly pursuits and the emptiness of life apart from God. It is often associated with the concept of vanity in the sense of pursuing things that ultimately do not satisfy or have eternal value. Context: The Greek term ματαιότης appears in the New Testament to highlight the futility and transient nature of life and human endeavors when they are disconnected from divine purpose. In Romans 8:20, Paul uses ματαιότης to describe the state of creation subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay. This passage underscores the temporary and unsatisfying nature of the world under the curse of sin, pointing to the ultimate redemption and restoration through Christ. In Ephesians 4:17, Paul admonishes believers not to walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility (ματαιότης) of their thinking. Here, ματαιότης is associated with a mindset that is darkened in understanding and separated from the life of God. This usage emphasizes the emptiness of a life lived apart from the knowledge and truth of God. The concept of ματαιότης is also echoed in the Old Testament, particularly in the book of Ecclesiastes, where the Preacher repeatedly declares the vanity of earthly pursuits and the fleeting nature of human life. This theme resonates with the New Testament usage, as it calls believers to seek eternal significance and purpose in their relationship with God rather than in the temporary and often deceptive allure of worldly achievements. HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 3153 mataiótēs (a noun) – aimlessness due to lacking purpose or any meaningful end; nonsense because transitory. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin from mataios Definition vanity, emptiness NASB Translation futility (2), vanity (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3153: ματαιότης ματαιότης, ματαιότητος, ἡ (μάταιος, which see), a purely Biblical and ecclesiastical word ((Pollux 50:6 c. 32 § 134)); the Sept. for הֶבֶל (often in Ecclesiastes), also for שָׁוְא, etc.; vanity; a. what is devoid of truth and appropriateness: ὑπέρογκα ματαιότητος (genitive of quality), 2 Peter 2:18. b. perverseness, depravation: τοῦ νως, Ephesians 4:17. c. frailty, want of vigor: Romans 8:20. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance vanity. From mataios; inutility; figuratively, transientness; morally, depravity -- vanity. see GREEK mataios Forms and Transliterations ματαιότης ματαιότητα ματαιότητας ματαιοτητι ματαιότητι ματαιοτητος ματαιότητος ματαιότητός ματαιοτήτων mataioteti mataiotēti mataióteti mataiótēti mataiotetos mataiotētos mataiótetos mataiótētos Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts Englishman's Concordance Romans 8:20 N-DFS GRK: τῇ γὰρ ματαιότητι ἡ κτίσις NAS: was subjected to futility, not willingly, KJV: was made subject to vanity, not INT: to the indeed futility the creation Ephesians 4:17 N-DFS GRK: περιπατεῖ ἐν ματαιότητι τοῦ νοὸς NAS: walk, in the futility of their mind, KJV: walk, in the vanity of their mind, INT: are walking in [the] futility of the mind 2 Peter 2:18 N-GFS GRK: ὑπέρογκα γὰρ ματαιότητος φθεγγόμενοι δελεάζουσιν NAS: out arrogant [words] of vanity they entice KJV: great swelling [words] of vanity, they allure INT: arrogant indeed of vanity speaking they allure Strong's Greek 3153 3 Occurrences ματαιότητι — 2 Occ. ματαιότητος — 1 Occ.