Greek word · G1462

ἔγκλημα

enklēma

accusation

A formal charge or indictment, an accusation laid before a court. It can also mean a complaint or a reproach.

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἔγκλημα -τος, τό

(ἐγκαλέω),

an accusation, charge: Acts 23:29 25:16 (Cremer, 743).†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Acts 23:29

Range of meaning

A formal charge or indictment, an accusation laid before a court. It can also mean a complaint or a reproach.

Against the English

BSB and WEB 'charge' is exact. YLT 'accusation' is acceptable but weaker. KJV's 'nothing laid to his charge' keeps the legal sense.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used in Greek law for an indictment. In the New Testament it occurs only here and at Acts 25:16, where Festus explains the Roman rule that the accused must face his accusers and have a chance to defend himself 'concerning the charge'.

Where it appears

Acts · 2

  1. Acts 23:29 ἔγκλημα. accusation.

    I found that the accusation involved questions about their own law, but there was no charge worthy of death or imprisonment.

    Here: A formal criminal charge, close to the Latin *crimen*. The verse uses this noun and its verb ('being charged') at the start and the end, which frames the whole statement in legal terms.

  2. Acts 25:16 ἐγκλήματος. accusation.

    I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand a man over before he has had an opportunity to face his accusers and defend himself against their charges.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.