Lexical Summary ameleó: To neglect, to be careless, to disregard Original Word: ἀμελέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance make light of, neglect, show no regard. From a (as a negative particle) and melo; to be careless of -- make light of, neglect, be negligent, no regard. see GREEK a see GREEK melo HELPS Word-studies 272 ameléō (from 1 /A "not" and 3199 /mélō, "have concern, be affected") – properly, without concern, unaffected, viewing something as being without significance, i.e. without perceived value ("of no moment"). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a neg. prefix) and meló Definition to be careless NASB Translation care (1), neglect (2), paid no attention (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 272: ἀμελέωἀμελέω, (ῶ; future ἀμελήσω; 1 aorist ἠμέλησα; (from ἀμελής, and this from the alpha privative and μέλω to care for); very common in secular authors; to be careless of, to neglect: τίνος, Hebrews 2:3; Hebrews 8:9; 1 Timothy 4:14; followed by an infinitive, 2 Peter 1:12 R G; without a case, ἀμελήσαντες (not caring for what had just been said (A. V. "they made light of it)), Matthew 22:5. Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 272 marks a decisive failure to respond to what God or one’s neighbor rightfully requires. Rather than a momentary lapse, the term portrays a settled posture of indifference that stands in stark contrast to the wholehearted devotion called for throughout Scripture. Occurrences in Scripture Matthew 22:5; Hebrews 2:3; 1 Timothy 4:14; Hebrews 8:9. Neglect in the Parable of the Wedding Banquet (Matthew 22:5) “But they paid no attention and went away, one to his field, another to his business.” Here the word characterizes guests who treat a royal summons as trivial. In context, the king represents God, the banquet His kingdom. The offense is not overt hostility but careless disregard. The verse exposes the peril of ordinary preoccupations that crowd out the ultimate invitation: participation in Christ’s reign. Theologically, it reinforces that indifference to grace is as condemnable as overt rebellion. Neglect of So Great a Salvation (Hebrews 2:3) “how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?” The letter to the Hebrews builds an escalating series of warnings; this is the first. Neglect, not rejection, is the stated danger. The text places apathy on the same footing as deliberate unbelief, underscoring that drifting from Christ carries eternal consequences. Historically, the epistle addressed believers tempted to relax their commitment amid persecution. The admonition still speaks wherever comfort, busyness, or cultural pressures dull spiritual urgency. Neglect of Spiritual Gift (1 Timothy 4:14) “Do not neglect the gift that is within you, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.” Timothy is charged to steward his endowment for preaching and oversight. The verse links neglect with ministry paralysis: a latent gift benefits no one. The laying on of hands anchors the charge in the church’s public recognition, implying accountability. Pastoral application extends to every believer’s Spirit-given capacity; unused gifts impoverish the body of Christ and violate the Giver’s intent. God’s Withdrawal in the Old Covenant (Hebrews 8:9) “…they did not abide by My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord.” Quoting Jeremiah 31:32, the writer describes the Lord’s judicial response to Israel’s persistent unfaithfulness. Neglect appears on God’s side—not as moral failure but as judicial abandonment after repeated covenant breaches. The contrast sharpens the superiority of the new covenant, secured by Christ’s better priesthood and internalized law. Broader Biblical Pattern 1. Covenant negligence surfaces throughout Israel’s history (for example, Judges 2:10-13; 2 Chronicles 29:11). Historical Usage and Linguistic Note Classical Greek employs the term for civic negligence—failing to maintain public duties—or familial carelessness toward elderly parents. The New Testament harnesses this cultural backdrop to frame spiritual negligence as a civic failure within God’s kingdom family. Pastoral and Ministry Applications • Personal discipleship: spiritual disciplines guard against slow drift. Warnings and Promises Neglect invites divine displeasure; diligence inherits blessing (Hebrews 6:11-12). Yet every warning in Hebrews is paired with provision: the High Priest who sympathizes, the Word that pierces, the Spirit who empowers. God’s remedy for negligence is renewed attention to the Son and active participation in His covenant community. Conclusion Strong’s Greek 272 confronts believers with the subtle sin of spiritual carelessness. Whether ignoring the gospel, sidelining a God-given gift, or merely drifting amid lesser pursuits, the call is the same: awaken, attend, and respond. By heeding the king’s invitation, cherishing salvation, and stewarding divine gifts, the church proves faithful to the One who has never been negligent toward His people. Forms and Transliterations αμελει αμέλει ἀμέλει αμελησαντες αμελήσαντες ἀμελήσαντες αμελήσω άμελξιν αμελώς ημελησα ημέλησα ἠμέλησα amelei amélei amelesantes amelēsantes amelḗsantes emelesa emélesa ēmelēsa ēmélēsaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 22:5 V-APA-NMPGRK: οἱ δὲ ἀμελήσαντες ἀπῆλθον ὃς NAS: But they paid no attention and went their way, KJV: But they made light of [it], and went their ways, INT: moreover having been negligent of [it] they went away one 1 Timothy 4:14 V-PMA-2S Hebrews 2:3 V-APA-NMP Hebrews 8:9 V-AIA-1S Strong's Greek 272 |
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