Definition: The word "agnathous" appears in the Old Testament several times, often used figuratively or literally to describe an individual or group that lacks a moral compass. In the first century CE, this term was commonly used by Jesus's disciples to describe a person who lacked good intentions and had no regard for truth. For example, when Jesus spoke of the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:21-23), He described her actions as "agnathous" because she did not seek to follow God's law, instead, seeking to fulfill the expectations of her community. In later centuries, this term was used figuratively by biblical figures such as Jesus himself who referred to individuals or groups in general who lacked a moral compass. For instance, when Paul wrote about the church at Ephesus (Eph 4:31), He used this metaphor to describe a group that lacked honesty and integrity. The precise meaning of "agnathous" often varies depending on its use and context in various literary works or religious texts. However, it is generally understood as a figurative description of an individual or group who lacks good intentions and adheres strictly to their own moral and spiritual expectations rather than seeking God's guidance and mercy. In the Bible, many biblical figures used this metaphor for the people they encountered after the death of Jesus, who often suffered persecution or had no other means of salvation. This term is also used by authors such as John Milton (who later became Pope Gregory the Great) to describe the "ignorant" populace in his Paradise Lost. Overall, the term "agnathous" carries a complex and varied meaning throughout the Bible, reflecting the variety of social, political, and moral landscapes that it was applied to.

agnathous