Keraia
Lexicon

ἀρετή

aretēvirtueHow to read Greek
greekNew TestamentNoun · feminine5 occurrences3 books4 verses

Definition

ἀρετή, -ῆς, ἡ

[in LXX, in sing.: Habakkuk 3:3, Zechariah 6:13 (הוֹד), in pl.: Isaiah 42:8, 12; 43:21; 63:7 (תְּהִלָּה), Wis.4.1; 5:13; 8:7; 2:1-24; 4Ma.2.2 * ;]

prop., whatever procures pre-eminent estimation for a person or thing, in Hom. any kind of conspicuous advantage. Later confined by philos. writers to intrinsic eminence-moral goodness, virtue;

(a) of God: 2 Peter 1:3;

(b) of men: Philippians 4:8, 2 Peter 1:5; pl. (Isa, Es, ll. with), excellencies: 1 Peter 2:9 (the usage appears to be a survival of an early comprehensive sense in which the original idea is blended with the impression which it makes on others, i.e. praise, renown; see Hort, 1 Pe., 129. Deiss., BS, 95 f., thinks it means manifestations of divine power, as in current Gk. speech; cf. also MM, see word)

Hebrew words it translates

The Hebrew words that the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament renders as ἀρετή:

Usage patterns

Old TestamentNew Testament

Occurrences

5 total
  1. Philippians 4:8ἀρετὴ · excellent
    Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
  2. 1 Peter 2:9ἀρετὰς · virtues
    But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
  3. 2 Peter 1:3ἀρετῇ · excellence
    His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
  4. 2 Peter 1:5ἀρετήν · virtue; ἀρετῇ · virtue
    For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;