Quick Definition
a thing pronounced to be just
Strong's Definition
an equitable deed; by implication, a statute or decision
Derivation: from G1344 (δικαιόω);
KJV Usage: judgment, justification, ordinance, righteousness
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
δικαίωμα, δικαιώματος, τό (from δικαιόω; ὁ δεδικαίωται or τό δεδικαιωμενον), the Sept. very often for ηΙχ, ηΛχΘδ, and ξΔωΐΡτΘΜθ; for ξΔφΐεΘδ, Deu_30:16; 1Ki_2:3; plural occasionally for τΔΜχΜεΜγΔιν;
1. that which has been deemed right so as to have the force of law;
a. what has been established and ordained by law, an ordinance: universally, of an appointment of God having the force of law, Rom_1:32; plural used of the divine precepts of the Mosaic law: τοῦ κυρίου, Luk_1:6; τοῦ νόμου, Rom_2:26; τό δικαίωμα τοῦ νόμου, collectively, of the (moral) precepts of the same law, Rom_8:4; δικαιώματα λατρείας, precepts concerning the public worship of God, Heb_9:1; δικαιώματα σαρκός, laws respecting bodily purity ((?) cf. Heb_7:16), Heb_9:10.
b. a judicial decision, sentence; of God either the favorable judgment by which he acquits men and declares them acceptable to him, Rom_5:16; or unfavorable: sentence of condemnation, Rev_15:4, (punishment, Plato, legg. 9, 864 e.).
2. a righteous act or deed: τά δικαιώματα τῶν ἁγίων, Rev_19:8 (τῶν πατέρων, Bar_2:19); ἑνός δικαίωμα, the righteous act of one (Christ) in his giving himself up to death, opposed to the first sin of Adam, Rom_5:18 (Aristotle, eth. Nic. 5, 7, 7, p. 1135{a} , 12f καλεῖται δέ μᾶλλον δικαιοπράγημα τό κοινόν, δικαίωμα δέ τό ἐπανόρθωμα τοῦ ἀδικηματος (cf. rhet. 1, 13, 1 and Cope's note on 1, 3, 9)). (Cf. references in δικαιόω.)
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
δικαίωμα dikaiōma 10x
pr. a rightful act, act of justice, equity;
a sentence, of condemnation, Rev_15:4 ;
in NT, of acquittal, justification, Rom_5:16 ;
a decree, law, ordinance, Luk_1:6 ; Rom_1:32 ; Rom_2:26 ; Rom_8:4 ; Heb_9:1 ; Heb_9:10 ;
a meritorious act, an instance of perfect righteousness, Rom_5:18 ; Rev_19:8 * regulations; righteous, righteousness; righteous deeds.
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
δικαίωμα , -τος , τ
( < δικαιόω ),
[in LXX most freq . for H2706 , in Ez, chiefly for H4941 , in Pss, τὰ δ ., freq . for H6490 ;]
a concrete expression of righteousness, the expression and result of the act of δικαίωσις , "a declaration that a thing is δίκαιον , or that a person is δίκαιος ," hence,
(a) an ordinance: δ . τ . θεοῦ , Rom_1:32 ; τ . κυρίου , Luk_1:6 ; τ . νόμου , Rom_2:26 ; Rom_8:4 ; λατρείας , Heb_9:1 ; σαρκός , Heb_9:10 ;
(b) a sentence: of acquittal, Rom_5:16 (also Rom_5:18 ; ICC , in l ), or of condemnation;
( c ) a righteous act: Rom_5:18 ( RV ), Rev_15:4 ; Rev_19:8 (on the usage of Papyri, v. MM , Exp., iii, xi).†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
δικαίωμα [page 163]
In P Tor I. I iii. 21 (B.C. 117) δικαιώματα means apparently arguments of counsel παραγινωσκομένων αὐτοῖς ἐξ ὧν παρέκειντο δικαιωμάτων ὧν ἑκάτερος ᾑρεῖτο : so .23 and v. 25 ἐπελθὼν δὲ καὶ ἐπὶ τὰ τοῦ ἀντιδίκου δικαιώματα . Similarly in OGIS 13 .14 (early iii/B.C.) when the people of Priene proved their immemorial possession of certain territory ἔκ τε τῶν ἱστοριῶν κ [αὶ ἐκ τῶν ἄλ ]λων μαρτυριῶν καὶ δικαιωμάτων [με ]τὰ τῶν ἑξετῶν [σπονδῶν , the meaning awards would seem to be possible, but arguments suits μαρτυριῶν better. Bishop Hicks s notes ( Historical Inscrr. .1 p. 260) w ll show the stages in this centuries-old dispute. P Lille I. 29 .25 (from a code iii/B.C.) prescribes examination of slaves by torture ἐὰμ μὴ ἐκ τῶν τεθέντων δικαιωμάτων δύνωνται κρίνειν , si les piθces du procθs ne leur permettent pas de juger (Ed.). Cf. P Petr II. 38 ( c ) .52 (iii/B.C.) (= III. p. 55), where a man is sent to Alexandria ἔχοντα καὶ τὰ πρὸ [ς ] τὴν κατάστασιν δικαιώματα , having with him the papers justifying his case, the piθces iustificatives as the editors describe them. The same phrase occurs in Preisigke 3925 .5 (B.C. 149 8 or 137 6). There is also P Petr III. 21 ( g ) .43 (iii/B.C.) ὃ καὶ παρέδοτο ἐν τοῖς δικαιώμ [ασι , which follows ἅμα τε γραπτὸν λόγον [καὶ δικαιώ ]ματα θεμένης with the same meaning. In BGU I. 113 .10 (A.D. 143) ἃ δὲ παρέθεντο δικαιώμ (ατα ) the word = credentials : so ib. 265 .17 (A.D. 148), and IV. 1033 .7, .19 (Trajan). Cf. the combination here with that in P Tor 1 above ( ad init. ). In P Lond 360 .8 (? ii/A.D.) (= II. p. 216) a certain Stotoλtis surrenders to his sisters his claim on a slave-girl belonging to their mother οὗ ἔχει δικαιώματος τῆς ὑπ [αρχ ]ούσης τῇ μητρὶ αὐτῶν παιδίσκης δούλης . Similarly P Oxy VIII. 1119 .15 (A.D. 254) τῶν ἐξαιρέτων τῆς ἡμετέρας πατρίδος δικαιωμάτων , the exceptional rights claimed by our native city (Ed.). MGr δικαίωμα = justice.
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
δικαίωμα (n di^kaiw ma_matos neut ) [Etym: from δι^καιόω] "an act by which wrong is set right": —"a judgment, punishment, penalty", Plat. "a plea of right", Thuc. : "justification", NTest. : and "an ordinance, decree", id=NTest.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
δικαίωμα, -τος, τ
(δικαιόω), [in LXX most frequently for חֹק, in Ez, chiefly for מִשְׁפָּט, in Pss, τὰ δ., frequently for פִּקּוּד ;]
a concrete expression of righteousness, the expression and result of the act of δικαίωσις, "a declaration that a thing is δίκαιον, or that a person is δίκαιος," hence,
__(a) an ordinance: δ. τ. θεοῦ, Rom.1:32; τ. κυρίου, Luk.1:6; τ. νόμου, Rom.2:26 8:4; λατρείας, Heb.9:1; σαρκός, Heb.9:10;
__(b) a sentence: of acquittal, Rom.5:16 (also Rom.5:18; ICC, in l), or of condemnation;
__(with) a righteous act: Rom.5:18 (RV), Rev.15:4 19:8 (on the usage of π., see MM, Exp., iii, xi).
† (AS)
📖 In-Depth Word Study
Requirement (1345) dikaioma
Ordinance (1345) (dikaioma from dikaióo = to justify <> dÃkaios = just, righteous <> dike = right) refers to what God has declared to be right and here referring to His decree of retribution which has the force of law.
Dikaioma is used elsewhere in this Epistle with its other meaning of “righteousness” (see table below). Strictly speaking dikaioma is what God establishes as just.
Friberg's summary of dikaioma (see also table below) - (1) of God's requirements ordinance, regulation, commandment (Lk 1:6); (2) of fulfillment of a legal requirement righteous deed, act of justice, by Christ (Ro 5:18) by God (Rev 15:4), by saints (Rev 19:8); (3) as an act of justification equivalent to dikaiosis removal of guilt, acquittal (Ro 5:16)
In simple terms, as used here by Paul dikaioma is God’s declaration about what is right and just.
Kenneth Wuest - Primarily that which is deemed right, so as to have the force of law; hence an ordinance. (Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament)
Paul's point in this verse is that these men with depraved minds were aware of God's regulations for right living and had an innate knowledge that the things they were doing were wrong and deserving of His retribution. Simply put they knew they were doing wrong and justly deserving of punishment but they simply don't care!
Dikaioma - 10 times in the NT translated as - act of righteousness, 1; justification, 1; ordinance, 1; regulations, 2; requirement, 1; requirements, 2; righteous acts, 2 (NASB)
Luke 1:6 They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.
Romans 1:32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.
Romans 2:26 So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?
Romans 5:16 The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification.
Romans 5:18 So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.
Romans 8:4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Hebrews 9:1 Now even the first covenant had regulations of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary.
Hebrews 9:10 since they relate only to food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation.
Revelation 15:4 "Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For ALL THE NATIONS WILL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE YOU, FOR YOUR RIGHTEOUS ACTS HAVE BEEN REVEALED."
Revelation 19:8 It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
Dikaioma - 137x in the non-apocryphal Septuagint - Ge 26:5; Ex 15:25f; 21:1, 9, 31; 24:3; Lev 25:18; Num 15:16; 27:11; 30:16; 31:21; 35:29; 36:13; Deut 4:1, 5f, 8, 14, 40, 45; 5:1, 31; 6:1f, 4, 17, 20, 24; 7:11f; 8:11; 10:13; 11:1; 17:19; 26:16f; 27:10; 28:45; 30:10, 16; 33:10; Ruth 4:7; 1 Sam 2:13; 8:3, 9, 11; 10:25; 27:11; 30:25; 2 Sam 19:28; 22:23; 1 Kgs 2:3; 3:28; 8:45, 59; 2 Kgs 17:8, 13, 19, 34, 37; 23:3; 2 Chr 6:35; 19:10; Job 34:27; Ps 18:22; 19:8; 50:16; 89:31; 105:45; 119:5, 8, 12, 16, 23f, 26f, 33, 48, 54, 56, 64, 68, 71, 80, 83, 93f, 112, 117f, 124, 135, 141, 145, 155, 171; 147:19; Prov 2:8; 8:20; 19:28; Jer 11:20; 18:19; Ezek 5:6f; 11:20; 18:9; 20:11, 13, 16, 18f, 21, 24f; 36:27; 43:11; 44:24; Hos 13:1; Mic 6:16; Mal 4:4;
Godet writes that because of God's workings men had ..
moral light...produced in them as well as religious light (see Ro 1:21). The words following indicate the contents of that sentence which God had taken care to engrave on their heart. What appeals to God's justice do we not find in the writings of Gentile historians and philosophers! What a description in their poets of the punishment inflicted on malefactors in Tartarus! (Godet, F: The Epistle of St Paul to the Romans)
Vine writes that dikaioma refers to...
what God has declared to be right (dikaioma), here referring to His decree of retribution. The relative pronoun “who,” as in verse 25, suggests that what is now to be stated concerning the sinners mentioned is the cause of the evils just enumerated. The evils are the effect of the refusal to accept and follow what they know to be right. Man’s conscience and experience tell him of the evil character and effects of impurity and cruelty, and their Divine condemnation. (Vine, W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson )
Dikaioma has 3 basic meanings in the NT:
(1) Dikaioma most often refers to a regulation relating to a just or right action, especially in reference to God's requirements, ordinances or regulations. In other words, dikaioma is used to refer to an act which is in accordance with what God requires. It is an appointment of God having the force of law.
And they [Zacharias and Elizabeth, parents of John the Baptist] were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements (dikaioma) of the Lord." Luke 1.6
If therefore the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements (dikaioma) of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? Romans 2:16
For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the requirement (dikaioma) of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:3-4
Now even the first covenant had regulations (dikaioma) of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary. Hebrews 9:1
since they (Jewish gifts and sacrifices called for under the Old Covenant) relate only to food and drink and various washings, regulations (dikaioma) for the body imposed until a time of reformation.
(2) Dikaioma can refer to the fulfillment of a legal requirement, a righteous deed or an act of justice, by Christ (Ro 5.18), by God (Rev 15.4) or by saints (Rev 19.8).
So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness (dikaioma - here a reference to the Death of Christ, an act accomplished and consistent with God's character) there resulted justification of life to all men." Romans 5:18 Here the a righteous act is that of our Lord Jesus Christ in satisfying the demands of the law which mankind broke.
"Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? For Thou alone art holy; For ALL THE NATIONS WILL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE THEE, For Thy righteous acts have been revealed." Rev 15.4
And it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
(3) Dikaioma is used once to signify the clearing of someone of a violation as an act of justification. In this use it equates with the removal of guilt or granting of an acquittal.
And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification (dikaioma = here refers to a "declaration of righteousness"). Romans 5.16
THAT THOSE WHO PRACTICE SUCH THINGS: hoti oi ta toiauta prassontes (PAPMPN):
Practice...practice - The first verb is prasso and the second verb is poieo. See discussion of these verbs under prasso below.
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