παραλλ-ᾰγή G3883
variation, change, shifting, alteration
Originally describing the passing of something from hand to hand or changes in position, this noun came to denote any kind of variation or alteration. In classical astronomy it could refer to apparent celestial movements. James 1:17 uses it theologically to assert that God, unlike the changing heavenly bodies, exhibits no variation or shadow of turning. The word captures the concept of mutability—the capacity for change that marks creation but not the Creator.
Senses
1. sense 1 — James 1:17 declares there is no 'variation' (παραλλαγὴ) with the Father of lights, contrasting divine immutability with the observable changes in sun, moon, and stars. The translations preserve this sense of change or alteration (English 'variation', Spanish 'variación', French retains the Greek form). The rhetorical force depends on the astronomical backdrop—while celestial bodies shift and cast moving shadows, God remains constant. 1×
AR["تَغَيُّرٌ"]·ben["পরিবর্তন"]·DE["Wechsel"]·EN["variation"]·FR["παραλλαγὴ"]·heb["שִׁנּוּי"]·HI["परिवर्तन"]·ID["perubahan,"]·IT["parallagē"]·jav["éwah-éwahan,"]·KO["변화-가,"]·PT["variação"]·RU["изменения,"]·ES["variación"]·SW["kubadilika"]·TR["değişme"]·urd["تبدیلی٬"]
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
παραλλ-ᾰγή, ἡ, passing from hand to hand, transmission, πυρὸς παραλλαγαί Refs 4th c.BC+; change of position, movement, τὸ τάχος τῆς π., of the sun's apparent motion, Refs 1st c.BC+ __b Astrology texts, of a heavenly body, passing beyond the degree occupied by another, Antioch.Astr.in Refs __2 alternation, μυῶν παραλλαγαὶ καὶ νεύρων their alternate movements, Refs 5th c.BC+; παραλλαγὰς τοῖς ποσὶν…