ἀνήμερος (G0434) — savage, fierce, untamed¶
Part of the 2 Timothy 3:1–5 Vice List study
Contents¶
- Overview
- Etymology and Semantic Range
- OT / LXX Background
- NT Distribution
- Theological Note
- NT Occurrences
Overview¶
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Strong's | G0434 |
| Greek | ἀνήμερος |
| Transliteration | anemeros |
| Gloss | savage, fierce, untamed |
| 2 Tim 3 verse | 3:3 |
| KJV rendering | "fierce" |
| NT occurrences | 1 (1 book) |
| LXX occurrences (canonical) | 0 |
Etymology and Semantic Range¶
Alpha-privative + ἥμερος (tame, gentle, civilised). NT hapax legomenon. Used in classical Greek of wild animals and uncivilised peoples.
No LXX occurrences. The contrast with ἥμερος (tame/gentle) is vivid: the term pictures people who have reverted to the condition of undomesticated animals — the opposite of the civil and peaceable community Paul commends.
OT / LXX Background¶
Hebrew פֶּרֶא (wild donkey, a symbol of untamed independence; Gen 16:12 of Ishmael; Job 39:5) shares the imagery of untamed wildness.
NT Distribution¶
Theological Note¶
The sequence ἀκρατεῖς, ἀνήμεροι, ἀφιλάγαθοι traces a descent: losing self-control leads to savagery, which leads to hostility to everything good.
NT Occurrences¶
| Reference | Greek form | KJV text |
|---|---|---|
| 2Ti 3:3 | ἀνήμεροι, | Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are goo… |