κακός

kakós · Greek · Strong's G2556 · 50 occurrences

The KJV renders 10 different Hebrew and Greek words as “wicked”

What it means

worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas G4190 (πονηρός) properly refers to effects), i.e. (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious

apparently a primary word;

How the KJV renders it

bad, evil, harm, ill, noisome, wicked

Where that flattens a distinction

The same English word is also used for these other originals, so the distinction between them disappears in translation.

“wicked”

also renders ponērós (G4190), ánomos (G459), áthesmos (G113), ʼâven (H205), bᵉlîyaʻal (H1100), ʻavvâl (H5767), ʻâmêl (H6001), reshaʻ (H7562), râshâʻ (H7563)

“evil”

also renders ponērós (G4190), phaûlos (G5337), kakōs (G2560), kakía (G2549), ʼâven (H205), bᵉlîyaʻal (H1100), raʻ (H7451)

“harm”

also renders ponērós (G4190), átopos (G824), hýbris (G5196), kakóō (G2559), raʻ (H7451)

“bad”

also renders ponērós (G4190), saprós (G4550), biʼûwsh (H873), raʻ (H7451)

“noisome”

also renders havvâh (H1942), raʻ (H7451)

“ill”

also renders raʻ (H7451)

Answers that weigh this word

Where it appears

50 occurrences in the Greek text, first 45 verses shown.

1 Corinthians 10:6 · A-GPN

Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.

1 Corinthians 13:5 · A-ASN

doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil;

1 Corinthians 15:33 · A-NPF

Don’t be deceived! “Evil companionships corrupt good morals.”

1 Peter 3:9 · A-ASN

not rendering evil for evil or insult for insult; but instead blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

1 Peter 3:10 · A-GSN

For, “He who would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.

1 Peter 3:11 · A-GSN

Let him turn away from evil and do good. Let him seek peace and pursue it.

1 Peter 3:12 A-APN1 Thessalonians 5:15 A-ASN1 Timothy 6:10 A-GPN2 Corinthians 13:7 A-ASN2 Timothy 4:14 A-APN3 John 1:11 A-ASNActs 9:13 A-APNActs 16:28 A-ASNActs 23:9 A-ASNActs 28:5 A-ASNColossians 3:5 A-ASFHebrews 5:14 A-GSNJames 1:13 A-GPNJames 3:8 A-NSNJohn 18:23 A-GSNJohn 18:30 A-ASNLuke 16:25 A-APNLuke 23:22 A-ASNMatthew 21:41 A-APMMatthew 24:48 A-NSMMatthew 27:23 A-ASNMark 7:21 A-NPMMark 15:14 A-ASNPhilippians 3:2 A-APMRevelation 2:2 A-APMRevelation 16:2 A-NSNRomans 1:30 A-GPNRomans 2:9 A-ASNRomans 3:8 A-APNRomans 7:19 A-ASNRomans 7:21 A-NSNRomans 12:17 A-ASNRomans 12:21 A-ASNRomans 13:3 A-DSNRomans 13:4 A-ASNRomans 13:10 A-ASNRomans 14:20 A-NSNRomans 16:19 A-ASNTitus 1:12 A-NPN

Occurrences and morphology are taken from the primary Greek text, never from an English translation. Strong's Hebrew lexicon and Westminster Leningrad Codex morphology used under CC BY-SA 4.0 / CC BY 4.0 (OpenScriptures). Strong's Greek lexicon is public domain.