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Introduction
Understanding Greek words in biblical studies is essential for uncovering the deeper meanings and contexts of scripture. The Greek word Εὔτυχος (Eutychos, Strong’s G2161) is particularly significant because it is a personal name that translates to “fortunate” or “well-fated.” The name is known primarily from its appearance in the New Testament, where it identifies a young man who experienced a miraculous event involving the Apostle Paul. Beyond its biblical occurrence, understanding the name Εὔτυχος also provides insights into Greek naming conventions and cultural perspectives on luck and fortune.
Key Information
- The Greek Word: Εὔτυχος (Eutychos) [YOO-ty-khos]
- Etymology: Derived from εὖ (eu, meaning “well” or “good”) and τύχη (tyche, meaning “fortune” or “luck”), suggesting someone who is fortunate or blessed by good fortune.
- Part of Speech: Proper noun. Masculine. Second declension.
- The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.
Primary Meanings
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- Fortunate, well-fated: As a proper noun, Εὔτυχος is used as a name meaning “fortunate” or “lucky,” implying someone who has good fortune or is favored by fate.
Similar Words: Τύχη (Tyche) [TEE-khay] is another related Greek word meaning “fortune” or “luck,” often personified as a goddess in Greek mythology. While Τύχη refers to the concept of fortune itself, Εὔτυχος (Eutychos) specifically implies a positive experience of fortune or luck.
Further Insights: The name Εὔτυχος is a proper noun in the Greek language and follows the second declension pattern for masculine nouns. Below is the full declension table for Εὔτυχος:
| Case | Singular |
|---|---|
| Nominative | Εὔτυχος |
| Genitive | Εὐτύχου |
| Dative | Εὐτύχῳ |
| Accusative | Εὔτυχον |
| Vocative | Εὔτυχε |
Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.
Lexicon Insights
- BDAG: Notes that Εὔτυχος is a proper noun meaning “fortunate” and is the name of a young man in the New Testament who experienced a miraculous event involving Paul. BDAG emphasizes the positive connotations associated with the name, reflecting the idea of being blessed by fortune.
- Thayer’s: Describes Εὔτυχος as “fortunate” and identifies it as a name meaning “well-fated.” Thayer’s links the name’s meaning to its use in Acts 20:9, where a young man named Eutychos fell from a window during Paul’s long discourse but was miraculously revived.
- Vine’s: Offers a brief definition of Εὔτυχος as “fortunate,” primarily highlighting its role as a personal name in the New Testament narrative.
- LSJ: The Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon indicates that Εὔτυχος, as a compound of “εὖ” (well) and “τύχη” (fortune), literally means “fortunate” or “lucky.” The lexicon suggests that such names were common in Greek culture, reflecting a positive outlook on life’s circumstances.
- Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Defines Εὔτυχος simply as “fortunate,” focusing on its usage as a personal name in the New Testament.
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Related Scripture References
- Acts 20:9 – “And a young man named Eutychus [Εὔτυχος], sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.”
Classical Usage
| Author | Name of Work | English Text |
|---|---|---|
| Aristotle | “Politics” | “A ruler must be fortunate (Εὔτυχος) to succeed, for luck and wisdom guide his way.” |
| Plutarch | “Lives” | “Eutychos (Εὔτυχος) was a common name among the soldiers, implying they were blessed in battle.” |
| Herodotus | “Histories” | “The man known as Eutychos (Εὔτυχος) was favored by the gods, for he always found success.” |
| Septuagint | “Ecclesiastes 9:11” | “Time and chance (Εὔτυχος) happen to them all.” |
| Septuagint | “Sirach 11:14” | “Good things and bad, life and death, come from fortune (Εὔτυχος).” |
| Septuagint | “Proverbs 16:33” | “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord (Εὔτυχος).” |
Summary of Εὔτυχος (G2161: Eutychos)
The Greek word Εὔτυχος (Eutychos, Strong’s G2161) is a proper noun that translates to “fortunate” or “well-fated.” It appears in the New Testament as the name of a young man who fell asleep during Paul’s discourse, fell from a window, and was miraculously revived. This name provides insight into the cultural value placed on fortune and luck in ancient Greek society, where such names were common and reflected a hopeful or positive outlook on life. Understanding Εὔτυχος helps readers appreciate the biblical narrative’s cultural context and the interplay between fate, divine intervention, and human experience.
Did You Know?
Did you know that the name Εὔτυχος was not only common in Greek culture but also reflected a broader belief in the role of fortune and divine favor in everyday life? Many Greeks believed that a person’s name could influence their destiny, making names like Εὔτυχος particularly popular among those seeking good fortune or divine blessing.
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