ἀμᾰράντινος G0262
Unfading, not subject to withering or decay; imperishable
This adjective means unfading or imperishable, describing what doesn't wither or lose its bloom. In 1 Peter 5:4, faithful shepherds receive the 'unfading crown of glory' when Christ appears. The term derives from the amaranth flower, symbolizing immortality. Classical Greek used it for imperishable flowers and eternal glory. The multilingual glosses (Spanish 'inmarcesible', German 'unverwelklich') emphasize permanence versus earthly fading. Peter contrasts this eternal reward with temporary earthly honors, motivating faithful ministry through eschatological promise.
Senses
1. sense 1 — The accusative masculine singular form modifies 'crown,' indicating a reward that never loses its luster or beauty, remaining eternally fresh. The amaranth flower, which retains color when dried, provided the metaphor for imperishability. Peter's imagery draws on athletic and military crowns that physically wither versus the eternal glory awaiting faithful pastors. This unfading quality characterizes all heavenly rewards, contrasting sharply with earthly honors that inevitably decay, thus reorienting ministerial motivation toward eternal values. 1×
AR["غَيرَ-الذّابِلَ"]·ben["অম্লান"]·DE["unverwelklich"]·EN["unfading"]·FR["ἀμαράντινον"]·heb["שֶׁלֹּא-יִכְמוֹל"]·HI["अमुरझाने-वाला"]·ID["tidak-layu"]·IT["amarantinon"]·jav["mboten-alum"]·KO["시들지-않는"]·RU["неувядаемый"]·ES["inmarcesible"]·SW["isiyo-fifia"]·TR["solmaz"]·urd["کبھی-نہ-مرجھانے-والا"]
Related Senses
H3808 1. simple negation (not) (4839×)G1722 1. locative: in, within (2442×)H1004b 1. house, dwelling, building (2015×)G3756 1. not (negation particle) (1635×)H4480a 1. source or separation (1198×)H5892b 1. city, town (1093×)G1519 1. direction: into, to, toward (1061×)H3427 1. Qal: to dwell, inhabit (937×)G1537 1. from, out of (source/origin) (886×)H8034 1. Name (designation / identifier) (856×)G3361 1. subjective negation (not) (834×)G1909 1. on, upon (spatial surface) (757×)H0369 1. existential negation: there is not (738×)H5869a 1. in the eyes/sight of (evaluative) (734×)H5650 1. Servant, attendant, subject (723×)H0408 1. prohibitive negation do-not (712×)G2443 1. so that, in order that (purpose/result) (665×)G0575 1. from (649×)G1223 1. through, by means of (582×)H3541 1. thus, so, in this manner (569×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ἀμᾰράντινος, η, ον, of amaranth, i. e. unfading, στέφανοςRefs 2nd c.AD+ __2 unfading, imperishable, στέφανοςNT