κακός kakos

Greek word for “evil/harm” · Strong’s G2556 · used 50 times in 45 verses

Explore it in the Word Atlas

Meaning

κακός, -ή, -όν; 1. in general, opposite to ἀγαθός, καλός, in various senses, bad, mean, base, worthless (cl.).;

Senses in the lexicon

• evil/harm: evil (44)
• evil/harm: harm (6)

How it is translated

Glosses given for kakos in context, with how often each is used:

• evil 35
• evils 3
• harm 3
• evil things 2
• wretches 1
• bad 1
• wrong 1
• evil ones 1
• harmful 1
• injurious 1
• wrongs 1

Where it is used

Also in 7 more books.

Chapters where it is used most

1 Peter 3 (4), Romans 13 (3), John 18 (2), Romans 7 (2), Romans 12 (2), Matthew 21 (1), Matthew 24 (1), Matthew 27 (1), Mark 7 (1), Mark 15 (1)

Forms

• κακὸν 16
• κακόν 8
• κακοῦ 8
• κακὰ 4
• κακῶν 4
• κακοὺς 3
• κακά 2
• κακὸς 1
• κακοὶ 1
• κακῷ 1

Words used with it

Words that share verses with kakos more often than their overall frequency would suggest:

• ἀγαθός agathos “good” 11
• ἀποδίδωμι apodidōmi “to pay” 5
• θέλω thelō “to will/desire” 5
• μηδείς mēdeis “nothing” 4
• ἀντί anti “for” 3
• καλός kalos “good” 4
• οὐδείς oudeis “none” 5
• πράσσω prassō “to do/require” 3
• θηρίον thērion “wild animal” 3
• ἔργον ergon “work” 4
• εὑρίσκω ehuriskō “to find/meet” 4
• περισσῶς perissōs “excessively” 2

Key verses

The verses using kakos that are most connected by cross-references (King James Version):

• Matthew 21:41 — They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their…
• Mark 7:21 — For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
• Luke 16:25 — But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art…
• Romans 1:30 — Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
• Romans 12:17 — Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
• 1 Corinthians 15:33 — Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
• Philippians 3:2 — Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
• Colossians 3:5 — Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is…
• 1 Thessalonians 5:15 — See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
• 1 Timothy 6:10 — For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
• 1 Peter 3:9 — Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
• 1 Peter 3:11 — Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

See all 45 verses in the Word Atlas

Hebrew and Greek text, tagging, glosses and lexicon definitions: STEPBible.org, Tyndale House Cambridge (TAHOT, TAGNT, TBESH, TBESG; CC BY 4.0), adapted. Counts follow King James verse numbering; a word counts each time it is written.