Introduction
Understanding the Greek word ἤδη (ḗdē) is crucial in Biblical studies due to its frequent usage in the New Testament to indicate time and the immediacy or current state of events. As an adverb meaning “already” or “now,” ἤδη is significant for interpreting the flow and timing of narratives and teachings within the text. In ancient Greek culture, this word also played an important role in various contexts, often denoting the completion or progression of actions. Understanding its usage provides deeper insights into both the biblical and classical worlds.
Key Information
- The Greek Word: ἤδη (ḗdē), pronounced [AY-day].
- Etymology: Derived from the combination of ἦ (ē), a particle denoting affirmation, and δή (dē), an intensifier meaning “indeed” or “certainly.”
- Part of Speech: Adverb; used to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating the present state or completion of an action.
- The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.
Primary Meanings
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- Already: Indicates that something has occurred prior to the present moment or is now completed.
- Now: Implies immediacy or current relevance, often in the context of a change or progression.
- By This Time: Denotes that the expected or stated moment has arrived.
Similar Words: νῦν (nŷn), pronounced [NOON], also means “now” but is used more generally to indicate the present moment without implying completion. In contrast, ἤδη (ḗdē) often carries a sense of progression or that something anticipated has finally occurred. Another similar word is πάρεστιν (párestin), pronounced [PAH-res-tin], meaning “is present” or “is here,” which focuses on presence rather than a timeline.
Further Insights: ἤδη is an invariant adverb, meaning it does not change its form regardless of tense, mood, or number. It modifies verbs or whole sentences, often shifting the focus to a newly established state or outcome that contrasts with a previous situation or expectation.
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Lexicon Insights
BDAG: ἤδη is defined as “already, now, at this point,” often used in contexts where a significant moment has arrived or an action is considered completed. It is used both positively and negatively to express that a certain state has been reached.
Thayers: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon explains ἤδη as “already” or “now,” emphasizing the culmination of a process or the immediate relevance of an event or state. It can mark a definitive point in narrative or discourse.
Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary highlights ἤδη as an adverb of time, noting its role in signaling that an action is finished or that a new phase has begun. It is often used in contrastive statements to show a shift from one situation to another.
LSJ: The Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon lists ἤδη as “already, now,” commonly used to indicate that something has come to pass, is currently in progress, or is about to happen. It appears frequently in philosophical and historical texts to denote logical or temporal progression.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: ἤδη is translated as “already” or “now,” with connotations of completeness or immediacy. It is used in various New Testament passages to convey the current status or outcome of a narrative event or theological point.
Related Scripture References
- John 4:35: “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest [ἤδη].”
- 1 John 2:18: “Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour [ἤδη].”
- Romans 13:11: “And do this, knowing the time, that it is already [ἤδη] the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed.”
Classical Usage
| Author | Name of Work | English Text |
|---|---|---|
| Plato | Republic | “But if, in fact, a man is already [ἤδη] wise, he would not need instruction, only the practice of it.” |
| Herodotus | Histories | “The city had already [ἤδη] fallen when the reinforcements arrived too late.” |
| Thucydides | History of the Peloponnesian War | “The army was already [ἤδη] assembled at the shore, ready to embark.” |
| Septuagint | Genesis 24:45 | “Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder [ἤδη].” |
| Septuagint | Exodus 9:24 | “There was hail and fire flashing continually in the midst of the hail, very grievous, such as had not [ἤδη] been in all the land of Egypt.” |
| Septuagint | Wisdom of Solomon 18:14 | “For while gentle silence enveloped all things, and night in its swift course was now half gone [ἤδη].” |
Summary of ἤδη (G2235: ḗdē)
The Greek adverb ἤδη (ḗdē) translates to “already,” “now,” or “by this time,” and is employed in both Biblical and classical texts to express temporal immediacy or completion. It originates from the combination of particles ἦ (ē) and δή (dē), intensifying the sense of certainty or arrival. In the New Testament, ἤδη is used to mark significant moments when events come to fruition or reach a critical point. Its usage in classical Greek literature also reflects its role in emphasizing logical or temporal progression.
Did You Know?
- The adverb ἤδη appears more than 60 times in the New Testament, often in key theological and narrative moments.
- In ancient Greek literature, ἤδη was used by philosophers to signify the culmination of an argument or idea, highlighting its immediate relevance.
- Understanding the nuanced usage of ἤδη in scripture helps clarify passages that speak about the “already but not yet” aspect of the Kingdom of God, emphasizing both present reality and future fulfillment.
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