The Greek Scriptures of the Bible (compiled both during and after the first century) borrows the word “hamartia” from established Greek literature.

The primary Greek word for “sin” in the New Testament or Greek Scriptures is hamartia, appearing 173 times (there are other words with slightly different meaning). It literally refers to “missing the mark” or failing to meet a standard.

Hamartia is a literary term originating from Greek tragedy, specifically Aristotle’s Poetics, describing a character’s fatal flaw, error in judgment, or weakness that leads to their downfall. It often signifies a “missing the mark”— a well-intentioned mistake or an inherent flaw like pride (hubris) that causes a hero’s reversal of fortune.

Here are specific examples of hamartia in Greek mythology:

Oedipus (Oedipus Rex): His hubris, stubborness, and ignorance regarding his true identity lead him to fulfill the prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother.

Icarus: His youthful recklessness and excessive pride lead him to ignore warnings, flying too close to the sun, which melts his wings and results in his fatal fall.

Arachne: Her arrogance (hubris) in boasting that her weaving skills surpassed those of Athena results in her being transformed into a spider.

Phaethon: His desire to prove his divine parentage and his presumption in attempting to handle the sun god’s chariot lead to his death.

Prometheus: His defiant pride and decision to steal fire for humanity bring upon him the wrath of Zeus and eternal punishment.

Pandora: Her curiosity and disobedience compel her to open the box (jar) that releases all evil into the world.

Achilles: His immense pride and rage (temper) cause him to refuse to fight, leading to the death of his close companion Patroclus.

Narcissus: His intense vanity and rejection of others lead him to fall in love with his own reflection, causing him to pine away.

Apollo: His inability to control his lustful impulses causes him to chase Daphne, resulting in her becoming a laurel tree to escape him.

These examples illustrate that hamartia is often a mixture of a character’s greatest strength and their fatal flaw, directly resulting in their downfall.