"slow; slothful, indolent, idle, Mt. 25:26; Rom. 12:11; tedious, troublesome, Phil. 3:1*"
Definition and meaning
slow; slothful, indolent, idle, Mt. 25:26; Rom. 12:11; tedious, troublesome, Phil. 3:1*
In the original Greek the word is written: ὀκνηρός
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of okneros (G3636) across the King James Bible.
His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
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Common questions
Strong's G3636 (okneros) is a Greek word that means: slow; slothful, indolent, idle, Mt. 25:26; Rom. 12:11; tedious, troublesome, Phil. 3:1* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word okneros (G3636) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3636 is okneros, a Greek word defined as: slow; slothful, indolent, idle, Mt. 25:26; Rom. 12:11; tedious, troublesome, Phil. 3:1*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
okneros is a Greek word found in the New Testament.