ἀδηλ-ότης G0083
uncertainty, unpredictability; the quality of being unclear or unstable
Paul warns the wealthy 'not to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches' (adēlotēti ploutou, 1 Timothy 6:17). The noun describes wealth's inherent instability and unpredictability—riches are uncertain, unreliable foundations for security. The term combines alpha-privative with 'dēlos' (clear, evident), meaning literally 'un-clearness' or obscurity. Wealth's uncertainty contrasts with God's certain provision: he 'richly provides us with everything to enjoy.' The dative construction indicates the faulty foundation: don't build hope on something so shifting and unclear as material wealth.
Senses
1. sense 1 — The dative indicates what hope should not rest upon: 'the uncertainty'—specifically, the uncertainty inherent in wealth. Classical usage points to obscurity, invisibility, or unpredictability. Paul's contrast is sharp: uncertain riches versus God who richly (plousios) provides. Spanish 'incertidumbre,' French 'ἀδηλότητι' (transliterated), and German 'Ungewissheit' (uncertainty) all capture the unstable, unclear nature of wealth. The trap for the rich is misplaced hope—trusting what is inherently untrustworthy. God's provision is certain; material wealth is not. 1×
AR["غَيْرِ-اليَقينِ"]·ben["অনিশ্চয়তায়;"]·DE["Ungewissheit"]·EN["uncertainty"]·FR["ἀδηλότητι"]·heb["אִי-וַדָּאוּת"]·HI["अनिशचिततअ"]·ID["yang-tidak-pasti"]·IT["adēlotēti"]·jav["ora-mesthi;"]·KO["불확실함;"]·PT["incerteza"]·RU["неопределённость"]·ES["incertidumbre"]·SW["usio-na-uhakika"]·TR["belirsizliğine"]·urd["بے-یقینی۔"]
Related Senses
H5414 1. give, bestow (1855×)H3947 1. take, seize, grasp (Qal) (940×)G2192 1. possess / have (680×)G1325 1. give, bestow (336×)H5159 1. inherited land or property (170×)G2983 1. receive, obtain (134×)H3423 1. Qal: take possession of land (130×)G2983 2. take, take up (113×)G2398 1. one's own, belonging to oneself (91×)G3860 1. hand over, deliver to custody (78×)H7998 1. spoil, plunder, booty (74×)G1325 2. be given, be granted (70×)H5414 2. put, place, set (68×)H7999a 1. pay, repay, recompense (63×)H7069 1. Buy, purchase (59×)H1892 1. vanity, futility, absurdity (58×)H5159 2. heritage as covenant portion (52×)H6299 1. redeem or ransom (Qal active) (49×)H4376 1. Sell (Qal active) (47×)H1350a 1. Redeem, buy back (46×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ἀδηλ-ότης, ητος, ἡ, uncertainty, Refs 5th c.BC+