ὀκν-ηρός G3636
lazy, sluggish, hesitant, reluctant to act
This adjective describes one who is lazy, sluggish, or reluctant. Jesus condemns the 'wicked and slothful servant' who buried his talent (Matt 25:26). Paul urges, 'Do not be slothful in zeal' (Rom 12:11). He tells the Philippians not to think writing the same things is 'troublesome' for him (Phil 3:1). The term spans from moral laziness to practical reluctance. Spanish varies—'perezoso' (lazy), 'molesto' (troublesome)—as does the context, but all involve shrinking from duty.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Lazy, sluggish, hesitant, or troublesome—characterized by reluctance to act or engage. Matthew 25:26 condemns the ὀκνηρός servant who failed to invest his talent. Romans 12:11 warns against slothful zeal. Philippians 3:1 uses it differently: Paul's repeated instructions aren't 'troublesome' (either to him or readers). The Greek ὀκνηρός derives from ὄκνος (hesitation, shrinking) and covers moral laziness, practical reluctance, and even what might be burdensome. Spanish distinguishes 'perezoso' (lazy) and 'molesto' (troublesome), while the term's range encompasses both. 3×
AR["الْكَسْلَانُ", "كَسَالَى", "مُمِلًّا"]·ben["অলস", "ক্লান্তিকর"]·DE["traege", "ὀκνηρέ"]·EN["hesitant", "lazy", "troublesome"]·FR["paresseux"]·heb["עֲצֵלִים", "עָצֵל", "עָצֵל;"]·HI["आलसी", "थकअन;"]·ID["malas", "menjemukan"]·IT["oknere", "oknēron", "pigro"]·jav["awrat", "kasap", "lan"]·KO["게으른", "귀찮지;"]·PT["preguiçoso", "preguiçosos", "é-penoso"]·RU["-духом", "ленивый", "трудно"]·ES["molesto", "perezoso", "perezosos"]·SW["kazi", "mvivu", "wavivu;"]·TR["sikici", "tembel"]·urd["تھکاوٹ-والا", "سست"]
Related Senses
H2896a 1. good (quality or moral) (305×)H7563 1. wicked person (259×)H7451c 1. moral evil or wickedness (234×)H5771 1. iniquity, sin, wrongdoing (222×)H6662 1. righteous person (substantive) (195×)G0266 1. sin, failure, transgression (173×)H2403b 1. sin, transgression (170×)H2617a 1. Covenant faithfulness, steadfast love (167×)H2398 1. Qal: to sin, commit sin (165×)H6666 1. righteousness, moral uprightness (145×)G5485 1. grace, divine favor (141×)H7451a 1. morally evil, wicked (129×)H2403b 2. sin-offering, sacrifice for sin (120×)G2570 1. good, right, excellent (98×)H6588 1. transgression, offense against God (88×)G0018 1. good (moral quality) (85×)H2896b 1. good, what is good (85×)H7451b 1. evil, wickedness (moral) (83×)H7451a 2. evil, harm, calamity (80×)G1342 1. righteous, upright (of persons) (70×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ὀκν-ηρός, ά, όν, shrinking, timid, ἐλπίδες -ότεραι Refs 5th c.BC+; especially from fear, opposed to τολμηρός, Refs 4th c.BC+. adverb -ρῶς reluctantly, Refs 5th c.BC+: comparative -ότερονRefs 5th c.BC+ __2 idle, sluggish, Refs 4th c.AD+ __II of things, causing fear, vexatious, troublesome, ἡμῖν μὲν.. ταῦτ᾽ ὀκνηρά Refs 5th c.BC+