Original Word: βέβηλος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: bebélos
Pronunciation: beh'-bay-los
Phonetic Spelling: (beb'-ay-los)
Definition: Profane, ungodly, irreverent
Meaning: permitted to be trodden, accessible.

Word Origin: Derived from the base of βべーたαあるふぁιいおたνにゅーωおめが (baino), meaning "to go" or "to walk," with a prefix suggesting "crossing a threshold" or "profane."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew equivalent often associated with the concept of "profane" is חָלַל (chalal), which means to pollute or defile, often used in the context of desecrating something holy.

Usage: In the New Testament, "bebélos" is used to describe something that is irreverent or unholy, often in contrast to what is sacred or holy. It conveys a sense of crossing boundaries into what is common or secular, lacking the sanctity or reverence due to God. The term is used to warn against behaviors, teachings, or attitudes that are contrary to the holiness expected of believers.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of "profane" was understood as something that was outside the temple or sacred precincts, thus common or unclean. In Jewish thought, the distinction between holy and profane was significant, with strict laws governing what was considered clean or unclean. The early Christian community, emerging from this context, was keenly aware of the need to maintain holiness in both belief and practice, distinguishing themselves from the surrounding pagan culture.

952 bébēlos (an adjective, derived from bainō, "go" and bēlos, "a threshold to enter a building") – properly, improper, unauthorized entry – literally, "crossing a threshold" which profanes because of improper entrance.

952 /bébēlos ("profane because of improper entrance") refers to people unfit to access (know) God, because they approach Him apart from faith. See also 949 (bébaios).

Word Origin
from bélos (a threshold)
Definition
permitted to be trodden, by impl. unhallowed
NASB Translation
godless person (1), profane (1), worldly (3).

STRONGS NT 952: βέβηλος

βέβηλος, βεβηλον (ΒべーたΑあるふぁΩおめが, βαίνω, βηλός threshold);

1. accessible, lawful to be trodden; properly, used of places; hence,

2. profane, equivalent to חֹל (i. e. unhallowed, common), Leviticus 10:10; 1 Samuel 21:4; opposed to ἅγιος (as in (Ezekiel 22:26); Philo, vit. Moys. iii., § 18): 1 Timothy 4:7; 1 Timothy 6:20; 2 Timothy 2:16; of men, profane i. e. ungodly: 1 Timothy 1:9; Hebrews 12:16. (Often in Greek writings from Aeschylus down.) (Cf. Trench, § 101.)

profane person.

From the base of basis and belos (a threshold); accessible (as by crossing the door-way), i.e. (by implication, of Jewish notions) heathenish, wicked -- profane (person).

see GREEK basis

βέβηλε βέβηλοι βεβηλοις βεβήλοις βέβηλον βεβηλος βέβηλος βεβήλου βεβηλους βεβήλους βεβήλων bebelois bebēlois bebḗlois bebelos bebēlos bébelos bébēlos bebelous bebēlous bebḗlousInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts