The Word len’ [laziness] in theThe word len’ [laziness] in the Synodal translation of the New Testament: philological and moral aspect Synodal Translation of the New Testament: Philological and Moral Aspect

In the context of the parable of talents (Mt.25: 26), the meaning of the Greek word ὀκνηρός is considered. It is translated in the Synodal translation of the New Testament (NT) as “lazy”. The immediate analysis of this word is preceded by the consideration of examples from the Old Testament and the New Testament of the Synodal translation, where words with the root of len- are encountered. A review of the examples shows that the word “laziness” as a noun in the text of the NT does not occur, and the concept of “laziness” in the New Testament is expressed through translational equivalents “lazy” and “to be lazy”. At the same time, it can be noted that in the NT the word “lazy” is used for translation of such Greek words as ἀργός and ὀκνηρός. When comparing the lexical meanings of these words, the semantics of the Greek word νωθής is also a point of interest. A comparison of the lexico-semantic fields of the three Greek words shows that the general sign is “slowness”. Along with the meanings “not decisive, fearful, timid” in the context of the parable, the property of “sluggishness” can also have a moral aspect, especially when combined with the notion of “craftiness”.