Quick Definition
ἀνωφελής, ές Adj useless, unprofitable
Strong's Definition
useless or (neuter) inutility
Derivation: from G1 (Α) (as a negative particle) and the base of G5624 (ὠφέλιμος);
KJV Usage: unprofitable(-ness)
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ἀν-ωφελής, -€s, (a priv. and ὄφελος) ; fr. Aeschyl. down; unprofitable, useless: Tit. iii. 9. Neut. as subst. in Heb. vii. 18 (διὰ τὸ αὐτῆς ἀνωφελές on account of its unprofitableness).
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ἀνωφελής anōphelēs 2x
useless, unprofitable, Tit. 3:9; Heb. 7:18*
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
ἀν-ωφελής, -ές
(ἀ- neg., ὄφελος), [in LXX: Is 44:10 (הוֹעִיל בִּלְתִּי), Je 2:8 (הוֹעִיל לֹא), Pr 28:3, Wi 1:11*;]
unprofitable: Tit 3:9; neut. as subst., unprofitableness: He 7:18.†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ἀνωφελής. P Lond 908" (A.D. 139) (= IIL. p. 133) ὅπως εἰδῇ ἄκυρον kal ἀνωφελὲς κριθησόμενον ὃ μετέδωκεν ὑπόμνημα. The same document has κενῶς kal [ἀ]νωφελῶς (]. 28). In P Hawara 56” (Plate i/A.D.) (= Archiv ν. p. 382) we find a derived subst., ὅτι ἀρρωστίαν ἰσοθάνατο(ν) [ἐξ]ῆήντλησα Kal ἄλλας πολλὰς ἀνωφελίας.
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
ἀνωφελής (anōphelēs) — useless. ἀνωφελ-ής, ές, unprofitable, useless, ἁβροσύναι[Refs 6th c.BC+]
2. hurtful, prejudicial, [Refs 5th c.BC+]: comparative -έστερος[Refs 5th c.BC+]. adverb -λῶς[Refs 4th c.BC+]
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
ἀν-ωφελής, -ές
(ἀ- neg., ὄφελος), [in LXX: Isa.44:10 (יָעַל בִּלְתִּי) Jer.2:8 (יָעַל לֹא), Pro.28:3, Wis.1:11 * ;]
unprofitable: Tit.3:9; neut. as subst., unprofitableness: Heb.7:18.†
(AS)
📖 Greek Word Study — In-Depth Study from Precept Austin
Unprofitable (512) anopheles
Unprofitable (512) (anopheles from a = without + opheleo = to profit) serving no purpose. It describes that which does not offer any special benefit and thus is without advantage, is useless and is unprofitable. In Titus 3:9, anopheles describes the "disputes about the law" which serve no purpose, and hence are noxious and even injurious.
The only other NT use is in Hebrews describing the old covenant ...
Hebrews 7:18 (note) For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness. (anopheles) (Comment: The law was useless in the sense that it could not save or bring about inward change in a person.)
The Septuagint (LXX) uses anopheles to describe idols:
"The priests did not say, ââ¬ËWhere is the Lord?’ And those who handle the law did not know Me; The rulers also transgressed against Me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal and walked after things that did not profit. (anopheles)" (Jer 2:8).
In Isaiah after asking and answering the rhetorical question
"Do not tremble and do not be afraid; Have I not long since announced it to you and declared it? And you are My witnesses. Is there any God besides Me, or is there any other Rock? I know of none.” (Isa 44:8)
God then asks
"Who has fashioned a god or cast an idol to no profit (anopheles)? (Isa 44:10).
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