Quick Definition
not to be uttered, secret
Strong's Definition
unsaid, i.e. (by implication) inexpressible
Derivation: from G1 (Α) (as a negative particle) and the same as G4490 (ῥητῶς);
KJV Usage: unspeakable
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ἄρρητος, ἀρρητον (ῤητός, from Ρ᾽ΑΩ);
a. unsaid, unspoken: Homer, Odyssey 14, 466, and often in Attic.
b. unspeakable (on account of its sacredness) (Herodotus 5, 83, and often in other writings): 2Co_12:4, explained by what follows: ἅ οὐκ ἐξόν ἀνθρώπῳ λαλῆσαι.
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ἄρρητος arrētos 1x
pr. not spoken; what ought not to be spoken, secret; which cannot be spoken or uttered, 2Co_12:4
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
** ἄρρητος , -ον
( <ἀ - neg ., ῥητός , ῥέω ),
[in Sm .: Lev_18:23 * ;]
1. unspoken ( Hom ., al. ).
2. unspeakable (Hat., al. ; freq . in Inscr .; MM , s.v. ): 2Co_12:4 .†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ἄρρητος [page 79]
ἄρρητος is common in sacred inscriptions, e.g. Michel 992 .21 (Mantinea, B.C. 61) ἐσκέπασεν καὶ εὐσχημόνισεν τὰ περὶ τὰν θεὸν ἄρρητα μυστήρια . The word is thus associated with the Mysteries, and in 2Co_12:4 (ἄρρητα ῥήματα ) suggests words too sacred to be uttered. Vettius Valens p. 19 .1 has περὶ τὰ ἄρρητα ποιητικαί . P Leid W xvii. 16 , with κρυπτόν .
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
ἄρρητος, -ον
(ἀ- neg., ῥητός, ῥέω), [in Sm.: Lev.18:23 * ;]
__1. unspoken (Hom., al.).
__2. unspeakable (Hat., al.; frequently in Inscr.; MM, see word): 2Co.12:4.†
(AS)