What does ἐπιθυμία · κακός mean in the Bible?
ἐπιθυμία · κακός is a Greek phrase meaning "evil desire".
Greek · G1939, G2556
ἐπιθυμία κακή
A longing (especially for what is forbidden) · evil/harm: evil
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
ἐπιθυμία G1939 a longing (especially for what is forbidden)
Pronunciation epithymía
Intense craving, especially for what is forbidden or worldly; often contrasted with rational choice or obedience to God.
Open lexicon entry →
κακός G2556 evil/harm: evil
Pronunciation kakós
Moral badness or harmfulness; encompasses both wickedness in persons and destructive consequences of actions.
Open lexicon entry →
What does ἐπιθυμία κακή (epithymia kakē) mean in the Bible?
ἐπιθυμία · κακός is a Greek phrase meaning "evil desire".
Full entry for ἐπιθυμία κακή (G1939, G2556) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for G1939, G2556?
G1939, G2556 is connected to 38 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Greek phrase. evil desire
Source Gloss
evil desire
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
This word appears as a noun across 8 case and number patterns. The form changes show how the word functions in a sentence; they do not change the basic lexical meaning by themselves.
Form patterns 8 Aligned forms 38 Case pattern Accusative (15) Number pattern Plural (22)
Nominative · Singular · Feminine Jas 1:15 · 1 John 2:16 · 1 John 2:17 4×
Nominative · Plural · Feminine Mark 4:19 1×
Genitive · Singular · Feminine 1 Thess 4:5 · Jas 1:14 · Rev 18:14 3×
Genitive · Plural · Feminine 1 Pet 2:11 1×
Dative · Plural · Feminine Rom 1:24 · Rom 6:12 · Gal 5:24 · Eph 2:3 · 2 Tim 3:6 · Titus 3:3 · 1 Pet 1:14 · 1 Pet 4:2 · 1 Pet 4:3 · 2 Pet 2:18 10×
Dative · Singular · Feminine Luke 22:15 · 1 Thess 2:17 · 2 Pet 1:4 · 2 Pet 2:10 4×
Accusative · Plural · Feminine John 8:44 · Rom 13:14 · Eph 4:22 · 1 Tim 6:9 · 2 Tim 2:22 · 2 Tim 4:3 · Titus 2:12 · 2 Pet 3:3 · Jude 1:16 · Jude 1:18 10×
Accusative · Singular · Feminine Rom 7:7 · Rom 7:8 · Gal 5:16 · Phil 1:23 · Col 3:5 5×
Word Origins
ἐπιθυμία κακή is built from this root:
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain