Greek word · Strong's G169

ἀκάθαρτος

akáthartos · word · “unclean, impure”

In a sentence

Akathartos means unclean — used both of demonic spirits and of ritual impurity. In Christ, the unclean is made clean: "what God has cleansed, do not call common."

Akathartos describes whatever is impure — leprous, demonic, ritually defiled, morally corrupt. It is what cannot draw near to a holy God on its own.

In the Gospels Jesus repeatedly meets the akathartos and makes it clean by his word and touch. In Acts, Peter's vision overturns Jewish food laws: the gospel is for Gentiles too.

Strong's reference

Definition: impure (ceremonially, morally (lewd) or specially, (demonic))

KJV usage: foul, unclean

Reference gloss from Strong's Concordance (1890, public domain).

Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

Mark 1:23 “Suddenly a man with an unclean spirit cried out in the synagogue:” Acts 10:15 “The voice spoke to him a second time: “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”” 2 Corinthians 6:17 ““Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.””

Original BibleDawn word study. Original-language data and the public-domain Strong's (1890) gloss are referenced; see sources.