Introduction
Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies is crucial for grasping the deeper meanings behind scriptural texts. The Greek word ἐνενήκοντα (enenēkonta) is particularly significant as it represents the cardinal number “ninety.” While a straightforward numeric term, ἐνενήκοντα holds importance in contexts related to counting, enumeration, and symbolic representation, both in the New Testament and ancient Greek literature. Studying this word provides insight into the numerical systems of the time and its implications in various biblical narratives.
Key Information
- The Greek Word: ἐνενήκοντα (enenēkonta) [en-eh-NAY-kon-tah]
- Etymology Root Words and Meanings: Derived from ἐννέα (ennea, “nine”) and its formation as part of the numerical sequence in Greek, adding -κοντα to denote multiples of ten, thus forming “ninety.”
- Part of Speech: Numeral, cardinal. As a cardinal number, it is not declinable like nouns or adjectives but remains the same regardless of grammatical context.
- The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.
Primary Meanings
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- Ninety — the number following eighty-nine and preceding ninety-one, used in various contexts to count or denote quantity.
Similar Words: ὀγδοήκοντα (ogdoēkonta) [og-doh-EH-kon-tah] means “eighty,” and ἑκατόν (hekatón) [heh-kah-TON] means “one hundred.” Both are cardinal numbers used to signify specific quantities, with ἐνενήκοντα specifically denoting the number “ninety.”
Further Insights: ἐνενήκοντα is a simple cardinal numeral that does not inflect for case, gender, or number. Unlike other words that change form depending on grammatical usage, ἐνενήκοντα stays the same across different contexts. Its usage in biblical and classical Greek texts reflects its straightforward role in denoting a specific quantity, often employed in genealogies, parables, and lists.
Lexicon Insights
BDAG: ἐνενήκοντα is defined as the cardinal number “ninety.” The lexicon mentions its use in the New Testament to denote a specific quantity, especially in contexts involving enumeration or lists.
Thayers: Thayer’s lexicon describes ἐνενήκοντα as “ninety,” emphasizing its function as a straightforward cardinal number. It is often used in passages where precision in numbers is essential.
Vines: Vines Expository Dictionary identifies ἐνενήκοντα as the Greek word for “ninety,” noting its use in parables and genealogical records where precise counting or numbers are important.
LSJ: The Liddell-Scott-Jones Greek-English Lexicon provides examples of ἐνενήκοντα in classical literature, noting its usage as a cardinal number. It highlights its role in contexts where exact numerical representation is necessary.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s concordance defines ἐνενήκοντα as “ninety.” It is noted for its frequent use in Biblical passages that require exact numerical values, particularly in parables or descriptive lists.
Scripture References
- Matthew 18:12 — “How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety (ἐνενήκοντα) and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?”
- Matthew 18:13 — “And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety (ἐνενήκοντα) and nine which went not astray.”
- Luke 15:4 — “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety (ἐνενήκοντα) and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?”
Classical Usage
| Author | Name of Work | English Text |
|---|---|---|
| Herodotus | Histories | “For ninety (ἐνενήκοντα) days, they held their ground without yielding.” |
| Xenophon | Anabasis | “After ninety (ἐνενήκοντα) years, the city saw peace again.” |
| Plutarch | Lives | “The campaign lasted for ninety (ἐνενήκοντα) days without pause.” |
| Septuagint | Genesis 17:24 | “And Abraham was ninety (ἐνενήκοντα) years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.” |
| Septuagint | Leviticus 25:3 | “Six years thou shalt sow thy field, and six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruit thereof; but in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land.” |
Summary of ἐνενήκοντα (G1768)
ἐνενήκοντα (enenēkonta) is a Greek cardinal numeral meaning “ninety.” It appears in both the New Testament and classical Greek literature to denote the number ninety in contexts requiring specific numerical detail. While straightforward in its meaning, ἐνενήκοντα is essential in passages that involve counting, measurement, or the illustration of specific quantities. Its understanding is necessary for accurately interpreting texts where exact numbers are crucial, such as in parables and descriptions.
Did You Know?
In the parable of the lost sheep found in Matthew 18:12-13 and Luke 15:4, the number “ninety-nine” (ἐνενήκοντα ἐννέα) is used to emphasize the shepherd’s concern for each individual sheep, demonstrating God’s care for every individual believer. The number ninety, forming part of this ninety-nine, underscores completeness and highlights the importance of every part of a whole in ancient Jewish and Christian teachings.
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