Brief Overview of Δέκα (G1176: Déka)

Déka (pronounced DEH-kah, δέκα) is a Greek numeral meaning “ten.” It is a cardinal number and does not have a derived root but serves as a basic counting term in the Greek language.

Déka signifies the quantity of ten, a foundational numerical concept used extensively in various contexts, including measurements, counts, and symbolic representations in ancient Greek texts.

Scripture References

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1. Matthew 25:28: “So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten (δέκα, déka) talents.” This verse illustrates the usage of Déka in a numerical context, referring to a count of ten talents.
2. Luke 15:8: “Or what woman, having ten (δέκα, déka) silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?” Here, Déka refers to a count of ten silver coins in a parable.
3. Revelation 17:12: “And the ten (δέκα, déka) horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority as kings one hour with the beast.” Déka is used to denote the ten kings or rulers.

Detailed Description from Lexicons

In BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, and Gingrich), Déka is simply defined as “ten.” BDAG confirms its role as a basic cardinal number used to count or indicate a quantity of ten. It does not have additional nuanced meanings but functions as a standard numerical value.

Thayer’s Lexicon provides a similar definition, noting that Déka is used to signify the number ten in various contexts. Thayer’s Lexicon emphasizes its use in both literal counting and symbolic contexts within biblical and classical literature.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary agrees with the basic definition, emphasizing that Déka is used primarily as a numerical term. It is important for understanding quantitative descriptions and symbolic uses in biblical texts.

LSJ (Liddell, Scott, Jones) provides an entry for Déka as a cardinal number, specifying its use as “ten.” The LSJ confirms that this numeral is foundational for expressing quantities and is employed in various contexts.

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

1. Homer’s “Iliad”: In the epic poem, Déka is used to count soldiers, ships, or objects in various passages. For example, it might describe the number of ships or soldiers in a group.
2. Aristotle’s “Politics”: Aristotle uses Déka when discussing the division of political offices or the number of participants in a political structure. The numeral is employed to clarify quantities relevant to his political theories.
3. Plato’s “Republic”: Plato uses Déka in discussing numerical systems related to governance or education, illustrating how ten can represent a fundamental unit in his philosophical arguments.

Summary

Déka (pronounced DEH-kah, δέκα) is a fundamental Greek numeral meaning “ten.” As a cardinal number, it represents the quantity of ten and is used extensively in both everyday counting and symbolic contexts. The term does not derive from other words but serves as a basic unit in Greek numerical systems.

In biblical texts, Déka appears in various contexts, such as counting talents, silver coins, and symbolic figures like kings. Lexicons such as BDAG, Thayer’s, Vine’s, and LSJ consistently define Déka as simply “ten,” confirming its role as a standard numerical term.

Classical Greek literature also employs Déka to indicate quantities in a range of contexts, from Homeric epics to philosophical works. Overall, Déka is an essential numeral in Greek, foundational for both literal and symbolic numerical expressions.