Greek noun (feminine) · G225
ἀλήθεια
aletheiaal-ay'-thi-a
Objectively, "the reality lying at the basis of an appearance; the manifested, veritable essence of a matter"; Subjectively; In phrases
109 uses in the Greek text, one for each word STEP Bible has tagged with this key
Concordance spelling: alḗtheia
Word page · Part of the concordance, one page for every word of the Hebrew and Greek text. Strong's G225is this word's number in James Strong's 1890 index of the King James Bible.
- 23 of 27New Testament books
- 8spellings
- 3meanings
The definition in full
Strong's key (1890) · G225
truth
The King James renders it: true, X truly, truth, verity.
James Strong, The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890), public domain. Strong indexed the King James text, and this site quotes his entry as that index.
Summary
aletheia is rendered "Objectively, "the reality lying at the basis of an appearance; the manifested, veritable essence of a matter"; Subjectively; In phrases". It stands 109 times in the Greek text, across twenty-three books.
- Twenty-five of the uses stand in John, more than in any other book.
- The lexicon lists three meanings for it, beginning with "Objectively, "the reality lying at the basis of an appearance; the manifested, veritable essence of a matter"".
- Its first use in canonical order opens the ledger below.Matthew 22:16They sent their disciples to Him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and that You teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You seek favor from no one, because You pay no attention to external appearance.
- The Greek text spells it eight different ways.
The first use
They sent their disciples to Him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and that You teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You seek favor from no one, because You pay no attention to external appearance.
Matthew 22:16ἀληθείᾳ
The first use, in the order of the New Testament's books.
Where the word stands
The word stands in twenty-three of the 27 New Testament books.
What the word means
The word carries three meanings: Objectively, "the reality lying at the basis of an appearance; the manifested, veritable essence of a matter", and Subjectively, and In phrases.
Each meaning, and the words it is translated by
| Meaning | Tagged as | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Objectively, "the reality lying at the basis of an appearance; the manifested, veritable essence of a matter" | Tagged as
| WhereRomans 1:25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie… |
| Subjectivelytruthfulness, truth, not merely verbal (cl.), but sincerity and integrity of character | Tagged aslisted under the table | WhereJohn 8:44You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires… |
| In phrases | Tagged aslisted under the table | WhereMark 12:14“Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and seek favor from no one. Indeed… |
The words built on the same word-part
Each word below begins with the same letters this one begins with. A shared word-part shows a family. It does not settle what any one of them means, so each word carries its own uses on its own page. Scholars call that shared part the stem.
The words it stands beside
All 109, in canonical order
Every use, in order
Every use, grouped by book, with its verse.
8 spellings and their grammar
STEP Bible tags every word of the Hebrew and Greek text with its spelling and its grammar. Both lists below count the rows printed underneath, written out in English, with the code beside each one as it was tagged.
How it is spelled
- ἀληθείας38
- ἀληθείᾳ28
- ἀλήθειαν20
- ἀλήθεια13
- ἀληθείας.¶5
- ἀληθείᾳ.¶2
- ἀλήθειαν.¶2
- ἀλήθειά1
The grammar of each form
- noun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singular43N-GSF
- noun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singular30N-DSF
- noun · accusative (object) · feminine singular22N-ASF
- noun · nominative (subject) · feminine singular14N-NSF
Matthew
one use
They sent their disciples to Him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and that You teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You seek favor from no one, because You pay no attention to external appearance.
- ἀληθείᾳaletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
Mark
three uses
Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him trembling in fear, and she told Him the whole truth.
- ἀλήθειαν.¶aletheiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: truth
“Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and seek favor from no one. Indeed, You are impartial and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them or not?”
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
“Right, Teacher,” the scribe replied. “You have stated correctly that God is One and there is no other but Him,
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
Luke
three uses
But I tell you truthfully that there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and great famine swept over all the land.
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
“Teacher,” they inquired, “we know that You speak and teach correctly. You show no partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
About an hour later, another man insisted, “Certainly this man was with Him, for he too is a Galilean.”
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: a truth
John
twenty-five uses
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
- ἀληθείας.¶aletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
- ἀλήθειαaletheianoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: truth
But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God.”
- ἀλήθειανaletheiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: truth
But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him.
- ἀληθείᾳaletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”
- ἀληθείᾳaletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth.
- ἀληθείᾳaletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
- ἀλήθειανaletheiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: truth
- ἀλήθειαaletheianoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: truth
But now you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing.
- ἀλήθειανaletheiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: truth
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
- ἀληθείᾳaletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
- ἀλήθειαaletheianoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: truth
But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me!
- ἀλήθειανaletheiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: truth
Which of you can prove Me guilty of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe Me?
- ἀλήθειανaletheiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: truth
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
- ἀλήθειαaletheianoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: truth
the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you.
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: of truth
When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me.
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: of truth
But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.
- ἀλήθειανaletheiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: truth
However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: of truth
- ἀληθείᾳaletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.
- ἀληθείᾳaletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
- ἀλήθειάaletheianoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: truth
For them I sanctify Myself, so that they too may be sanctified by the truth.
- ἀληθείᾳaletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
“Then You are a king!” Pilate said. “You say that I am a king,” Jesus answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.”
- ἀληθείᾳaletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
“What is truth?” Pilate asked. And having said this, he went out again to the Jews and told them, “I find no basis for a charge against Him.
- ἀλήθειαaletheianoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: truth
Acts
three uses
In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed.
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism,
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: a truth
But Paul answered, “I am not insane, most excellent Festus; I am speaking words of truth and sobriety.
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: of truth
Romans
eight uses
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.
- ἀλήθειανaletheiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: truth
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.
- ἀλήθειανaletheiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: truth
And we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.
- ἀλήθειανaletheiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: truth
But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger.
- ἀληθείᾳaletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
However, if my falsehood accentuates God’s truthfulness, to the increase of His glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?
- ἀλήθειαaletheianoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: truth
I speak the truth in Christ; I am not lying, as confirmed by my conscience in the Holy Spirit.
- Ἀλήθειανaletheiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: truth
For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs,
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
1 Corinthians
two uses
Therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old bread, leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and of truth.
- ἀληθείας.¶aletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: of truth
Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth.
- ἀληθείᾳaletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
2 Corinthians
eight uses
Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
in truthful speech and in the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: of truth
Indeed, I was not embarrassed by anything I had boasted to him about you. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting to Titus has proved to be true as well.
- ἀληθείᾳaletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
- ἀλήθειαaletheianoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: truth
As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia.
- ἀλήθειαaletheianoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: truth
Even if I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me,
- ἀλήθειανaletheiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: truth
For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
Galatians
three uses
We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.
- ἀλήθειαaletheianoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: truth
When I saw that they were not walking in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?”
- ἀλήθειανaletheiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: truth
You were running so well. Who has obstructed you from obeying the truth?
- ἀληθείᾳaletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
Ephesians
six uses
And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: of truth
Surely you heard of Him and were taught in Him—in keeping with the truth that is in Jesus—
- ἀλήθειαaletheianoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: truth
and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
- ἀληθείας.¶aletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: of truth
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another.
- ἀλήθειανaletheiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: truth
for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.
- ἀληθείᾳaletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: in truth —
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed,
- ἀληθείᾳaletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
Philippians
one use
What then is the issue? Just this: that in every way, whether by false motives or true, Christ is preached. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
- ἀληθείᾳaletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: in truth
Colossians
two uses
the faith and love proceeding from the hope stored up for you in heaven, of which you have already heard in the word of truth, the gospel
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: of truth
that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood the grace of God.
- ἀληθείᾳaletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
2 Thessalonians
three uses
and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.
- ἀληθείᾳaletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
But we should always thank God for you, brothers who are loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning to be saved by the sanctification of the Spirit and by faith in the truth.
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: of truth
1 Timothy
six uses
who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: of truth
For this reason I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a faithful and true teacher of the Gentiles. I am telling the truth; I am not lying about anything.
- ἀλήθειανaletheiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: truth
- ἀληθείᾳ.¶aletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
in case I am delayed, so that you will know how each one must conduct himself in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
- ἀληθείας.¶aletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
- ἀλήθειανaletheiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: truth
and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain.
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
2 Timothy
six uses
Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.
- ἀληθείας.¶aletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: of truth
who have deviated from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already occurred, and they undermine the faith of some.
- ἀλήθειανaletheiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: truth
He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: of truth
who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: of truth
Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith.
- ἀληθείᾳaletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
Titus
two uses
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness,
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: of truth
and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth.
- ἀλήθειαν.¶aletheiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: truth
Hebrews
one use
If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains,
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
James
three uses
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: of truth
But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back,
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
1 Peter
one use
Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart.
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
2 Peter
two uses
Therefore I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth you now have.
- ἀληθείᾳaletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed.
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
1 John
nine uses
If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
- ἀλήθειανaletheiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: truth
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
- ἀλήθειαaletheianoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: truth
If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
- ἀλήθειαaletheianoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: truth
I have not written to you because you lack knowledge of the truth, but because you have it, and because no lie comes from the truth.
- ἀλήθειανaletheiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: truth
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.
- ἀληθείᾳaletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: in truth
And by this we will know that we belong to the truth, and will assure our hearts in His presence:
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. That is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: of truth
This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ—not by water alone, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies to this, because the Spirit is the truth.
- ἀλήθειαaletheianoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: truth
2 John
five uses
The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I alone, but also all who know the truth—
- ἀληθείᾳaletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
- ἀλήθειανaletheiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: truth —
because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:
- ἀλήθειανaletheiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: truth
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, will be with us in truth and love.
- ἀληθείᾳaletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father has commanded us.
- ἀληθείᾳaletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
3 John
six uses
The elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth:
- ἀληθείᾳaletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
For I was overjoyed when the brothers came and testified about your devotion to the truth, in which you continue to walk.
- ἀληθείᾳaletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: to truth
- ἀληθείᾳaletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
- ἀληθείᾳaletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
- ἀληθείᾳ.¶aletheianoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also testify for him, and you know that our testimony is true.
- ἀληθείαςaletheiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: truth
Where it leads
Studies that open this word1
How the numbers are counted
Every count on this page comes from STEP Bible's tagged Hebrew and Greek text, the same text the ledger prints. A use is counted once each time the tagging marks a word with this key.
Spellings are counted as the Greek text spells them, with the sentence's own punctuation taken off the word first, so a form that ends a clause is not counted as a second spelling.
The words it stands beside are the nouns, verbs and adjectives immediately before or after it, counted in every verse where the word stands. The article, the conjunctions and the prepositions are left out, because they stand beside every word.
The family is read from the lexicon by the stem the two words share, with the accents off, and a person or a place named on the stem is left out.
