What is the word for truth and its meaning in Koine Greek?
Last Updated: 02.07.2025 23:57
The word you are looking for is:
αλὴθεια / Alithea.
There is absolutely no relation to λίθος/lithos=stone. Notice the η vs ι.
The word has remained the same into Modern Greek
the word is composed of the privative prefix α- and λήθη/lethe which means “forgetfulness/stupor”. So the αλήθεια means “without fault/stupor/hiding”
a couple of points:
A similarly derived word is ληθαργία/lethargia=toiling under forgetfulness/stupor….lethargy.
as a result Alitheia, the Goddess of Truth, was always depicted as a naked, unassuming and plain looking woman. The Latin equivalent was nuda Veritas. Truth has nothing to hide and didn’t need all the adornments of the other gods.
Nuda Veritas is the derivation of the term “Naked Truth”.
What are some sad truths about life?
The Greek word for thief/robber/pirate is ληστής/listis which is derived from λανθάνω as well
The root verb is λανθάνω/lanthano=to escape notice/to make one forget/to lay hidden