ἁμάρτημα
a fault, sin, evil deed
Definition
ἁμάρτημα refers to a specific act of sin, a concrete transgression or fault. It emphasizes the individual sinful deed itself, rather than the general state of sinfulness. In Mark 3:28, it is used for 'sins' that can be blasphemed against the Holy Spirit, and in Romans 3:25, it describes the specific sins committed prior to Christ's sacrifice. This distinguishes it from the more abstract ἁμαρτία (sin as a principle).
Biblical Usage
This noun is used only four times in the New Testament, appearing in the Gospels (Mark 3:28, 4:12) and the Pauline epistles (Romans 3:25, 1 Corinthians 6:18). In Mark, it describes specific, speakable sins. Paul uses it to refer to concrete acts: past sins needing propitiation (Romans 3:25) and sins committed against one's own body (1 Corinthians 6:18). Its usage is consistently tied to identifiable wrongful actions.
Etymology
Derived from the verb ἁμαρτάνω (hamartanō), meaning 'to miss the mark' or 'to err.' The noun ending -μα (-ma) indicates the concrete result of the action—hence, 'a sin-thing' or 'a fault committed.' It is built on the root idea of failing to hit a target, which in moral and spiritual terms means failing to live up to God's standard.
Semantic Range
This word is key for understanding sin as concrete disobedience. It highlights that salvation in Christ deals with real, specific acts of wrongdoing (Romans 3:25). Distinguishing ἁμάρτημα (an act) from ἁμαρτία (the power or state of sin) enriches reading by showing how the Bible addresses both individual sins and the overarching sin condition. It underscores the need for atonement for actual transgressions.
In the Greco-Roman world, the root concept of 'missing the mark' was a common metaphor for error, used in contexts from archery to moral philosophy. For New Testament authors, this familiar idea was infused with Jewish theological depth, framing 'missing the mark' as a violation of God's law and covenant, not just a personal failing.
ἁμαρτία (hamartia, G266) — the general principle or power of sin. παράπτωμα (paraptōma, G3900) — a trespass or false step, often with a sense of falling aside. ἀνομία (anomia, G458) — lawlessness, wickedness as a disregard for law.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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