What is the word for truth and its meaning in Koine Greek?
Last Updated: 29.06.2025 00:00
αλὴθεια / Alithea.
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 similarly derived word is ληθαργία/lethargia=toiling under forgetfulness/stupor….lethargy.
Nuda Veritas is the derivation of the term “Naked Truth”.
There is absolutely no relation to λίθος/lithos=stone. Notice the η vs ι.
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.
The root verb is λανθάνω/lanthano=to escape notice/to make one forget/to lay hidden
a couple of points:
The word has remained the same into Modern Greek
The Greek word for thief/robber/pirate is ληστής/listis which is derived from λανθάνω as well
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