The rendering of concepts related to transgression from Hebrew and Aramaic texts into Koine Greek, particularly within the Septuagint and later the New Testament, reveals a complex semantic field. No single Greek word perfectly captures the multifaceted nature of wrongdoing as perceived in the original languages. Instead, a variety of terms, each with slightly different connotations, were employed. For instance, hamartia () often signifies a failure to meet a standard or a missing of the mark, while paraptoma () suggests a trespass or a false step. Other terms like anomia () denote lawlessness or disregard for established norms.
The adoption of these specific Greek terms holds considerable significance for understanding early Christian theology and ethics. The choice of vocabulary shaped the interpretation of moral and spiritual failings. Different nuances implied varying degrees of culpability and had implications for doctrines of atonement and redemption. The translation choices, therefore, provide insight into the theological perspectives and cultural contexts of the translators and the intended audience. Analyzing which words were selected and how they were applied offers a historical window into evolving understandings of human fallibility and its consequences.