Original Word: ἀσέλγεια
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: aselgeia
Pronunciation: ah-sel'-gheia
Phonetic Spelling: (as-elg'-i-a)
Definition: Licentiousness, debauchery, sensuality, lewdness
Meaning: (outrageous conduct, conduct shocking to public decency, a wanton violence), wantonness, lewdness.

Word Origin: Derived from a compound of 1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed selges (of uncertain derivation, possibly meaning "continent" or "self-controlled")

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "aselgeia," similar concepts can be found in terms like זִמָּה (zimmah, Strong's H2154), which refers to lewdness or wickedness.

Usage: The term "aselgeia" refers to unrestrained, shameless behavior, often associated with sexual excesses and moral depravity. It denotes a lack of self-control and a disregard for moral boundaries, often manifesting in actions that are openly indecent or offensive. In the New Testament, it is used to describe behaviors that are contrary to the holiness and purity expected of believers.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, "aselgeia" was often associated with the hedonistic lifestyles prevalent in certain segments of society. The term captures the essence of living without regard for moral or social norms, often in pursuit of personal pleasure. Such behavior was not only common in pagan religious practices but also in the broader cultural context, where indulgence in sensual pleasures was sometimes celebrated.

766 asélgeia (from aselgēs/"brutal") – properly, violent spite which rejects restraint and indulges in lawless insolence (wanton caprice).

[This is likewise the meaning of 766 /asélgeia in classical Greek (WS, 110).]

Word Origin
of uncertain origin
Definition
licentiousness, wantonness
NASB Translation
licentiousness (1), sensual (1), sensuality (8).

STRONGS NT 766: ἀσέλγεια

ἀσέλγεια, ἀσελγειας, ἡ, the conduct and character of one who is ἀσελγής (a word which some suppose to be compounded of the alpha privative and Σελγη, the name of a city in Pisidia whose citizens excelled in strictness of morals (so Etym. Magn. 152, 38; per contra cf. Suidas 603 d.): others of ἆ intens. and σαλάγειν, to disturb, raise a din; others, and now the majority, of alpha privative and σέλγω equivalent to θέλγω, not affecting pleasantly, exciting disgust), "unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence": Mark 7:22 (where it is uncertain what particular vice is spoken of); of gluttony and venery, Jude 1:4; plural, 1 Peter 4:3; 2 Peter 2:2 (for Rec. ἀπωλείαις), 18; of carnality, lasciviousness: 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 4:19; 2 Peter 2:7; plural "wanton (acts or) manners, as filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females, etc." (Fritzsche), Romans 13:13. (In Biblical Greek besides only in Wis. 14:26 and 3Macc. 2:26. Among Greek writings used by Plato, Isocrates and following; at length by Plutarch (Lucull. 38) and Lucian (dial. meretr. 6) of the wantonness of women (Lob. ad Phryn., p. 184 n.).) Cf. Tittmann i., p. 151f; (especially Trench, § xvi.).

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

filth, lasciviousness, debauchery.

From a compound of a (as a negative particle) and a presumed selges (of uncertain derivation, but apparently meaning continent); licentiousness (sometimes including other vices) -- filthy, lasciviousness, wantonness.

see GREEK a

Forms and Transliterations

ασελγεια ασελγεία ασέλγεια ἀσελγείᾳ ἀσέλγεια ασελγειαις ασελγείαις ἀσελγείαις ασελγειαν ασέλγειαν ἀσέλγειαν aselgeia asélgeia aselgeíāi aselgeiais aselgeíais aselgeian asélgeian

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