Greek word · G3883

παραλλαγή

parallagē

variation

Change, variation, alternation, a shifting from one state to another. It is related to the astronomical term parallaxis, but parallagē itself is broader and not strictly technical.

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

παρ-αλλαγή, -ῆς, ἡ

(παραλλάσσω), [in LXX: 2 Kings 9:20 (שִׁגָּעוֹן)* ;]

in various senses (LS, see word), change: James 1:17.†

(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 James 1:17

Range of meaning

Change, variation, alternation, a shifting from one state to another. It is related to the astronomical term parallaxis, but parallagē itself is broader and not strictly technical.

Against the English

KJV 'variableness', ESV/NASB 'variation', BSB 'change', NIV 'does not change'. All are fair renderings.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used in Greek for changes and alternations of many kinds. In the Septuagint at 2 Kings (4 Kingdoms) 9:20 it describes Jehu's wild, swerving driving. Wisdom of Solomon 7:18–19 describes the knowledge of 'the alternations of the solstices and the changes of the seasons, the cycles of the year and the positions of the stars', which shows how Jewish writers of the time spoke of heavenly change.

Where it appears

James · 1

  1. James 1:17 παραλλαγὴ variation

    Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.

    Here: Change or alternation, the kind of shift seen when heavenly bodies move, wax and wane. It appears only here in the New Testament.

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