ἀνεύθετος

unsuitable, inconvenient

Definition

The adjective ἀνεύθετος means 'unsuitable,' 'inconvenient,' or 'not well-placed.' It describes a location, condition, or situation that is unfit or disadvantageous for a specific purpose. In its sole New Testament occurrence in Acts 27:12, it refers to the harbor of Phoenix being 'unsuitable' or 'inconvenient' for wintering, implying it offered poor shelter from storms. The word carries a sense of being ill-adapted or poorly situated, leading to potential difficulty or danger.

Biblical Usage

ἀνεύθετος is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 27:12. It is employed in a nautical, decision-making context where the ship's crew and centurion are evaluating harbors along Crete. The term directly informs a pivotal narrative choice, characterizing the harbor of Phoenix as an unsuitable place to spend the winter, which sets the stage for the subsequent shipwreck narrative. Its usage is purely descriptive of a physical location's inadequacy.

Etymology

Derived from the alpha-privative prefix ἀν- (an-), meaning 'not' or 'without,' combined with the root εὔθετος (eythetos), which means 'well-placed,' 'suitable,' or 'convenient.' Εὔθετος itself comes from εὖ (eu, 'well') and τίθημι (tithēmi, 'to place, set'). Thus, ἀνεύθετος literally means 'not well-placed' or 'ill-suited.'

Semantic Range

In the Greco-Roman world of sea travel, finding a 'suitable' harbor for wintering was a matter of survival. From November to February, sailing was considered extremely dangerous. A harbor described as ἀνεύθετος would lack the necessary protection from winds and waves, potentially exposing ships to destruction. This cultural reality of seasonal navigation heightens the tension in Acts 27, as the characters gamble on reaching a better harbor against Paul's prophetic warning.

ἀνεπιτήδειος (anepitēdeios, G738) — emphasizes being 'unfit' or 'unsuited' for a purpose, often in a more general or moral sense. ἀσύμφορος (asymphoros, G812) — focuses on what is 'unprofitable' or 'disadvantageous,' with a stronger connotation of detriment.

Word Details

Scripture References