Brief Overview of ἥκω (Strong’s G2240: hēkō)

Introduction

Understanding Greek words like ἥκω (hēkō) is essential for deepening our comprehension of Biblical texts and ancient Greek culture. The verb ἥκω carries the idea of arrival or coming, which is pivotal for interpreting passages that speak of the coming of Christ, messengers, or events in the New Testament. Its usage reflects a dynamic sense of movement and presence, providing valuable insights into the actions and expectations described in early Christian writings.

Key Information

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The Greek Word: ἥκω (hēkō), pronounced [HAY-koh].
Etymology: Derived from the Greek root meaning “to have come” or “to be present.”
Part of Speech: Verb; primary usage in the perfect active tense.
The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

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To come: Indicates the act of arriving at a destination.
To have come: Implies the state of having reached a place, often used in perfect tenses.
To be present: Used metaphorically to denote being in a place or situation.

Similar Words: ἔρχομαι (erchomai), pronounced [ER-kho-my], is another Greek verb that also means “to come” or “to go.” However, ἔρχομαι is more commonly used to describe the act of coming or going in a more immediate or future sense. In contrast, ἥκω often emphasizes the completed action of having arrived or the state of being present. παραγίνομαι (paraginomai), pronounced [pa-ra-GEE-no-my], means “to arrive” or “to appear,” and is typically used to refer to coming alongside or showing up in a situation.

Further Insights: ἥκω is used primarily in the perfect active form, which is relatively rare in Koine Greek, emphasizing the result or the state of being that comes from the action of coming. Unlike some Greek verbs that have a full range of tense forms, ἥκω tends to be more limited in its tense distribution, focusing on the present or perfect sense of arrival.

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Lexicon Insights

BDAG: ἥκω is defined as “to have come” or “to be present,” with emphasis on the action’s completion. It is often used to describe persons arriving at a destination or events occurring as a result of arrival.

Thayers: Thayer’s Lexicon describes ἥκω as a verb meaning “to have come” or “to have arrived,” especially in contexts involving the arrival of persons or divine messengers. It often implies a state of readiness or fulfillment.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary notes ἥκω as a verb that signifies “to have come” or “to be present.” It highlights its significance in passages where the presence or coming of Jesus or a significant event is emphasized.

LSJ: The Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon provides an extensive entry for ἥκω, noting its primary meaning as “to come” or “to have arrived.” It discusses its usage in various literary contexts, from Homeric Greek to Koine, illustrating its application in describing both literal and figurative arrivals.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: ἥκω is listed as a verb meaning “to have come” or “to be present.” It appears in various New Testament passages, where it conveys a sense of arrival or presence that fulfills a previous action or prophecy.

Related Scripture References

John 2:4: “And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come [ἥκω].'”
John 6:37: “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out [ἥκω].”
Revelation 14:15: “And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, ‘Put in your sickle and reap, for the hour to reap has come [ἥκω], for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.'”

Classical Usage

Author	Name of Work	English Text
Homer	Iliad	“The time has come (ἥκω) for us to decide the fate of Troy.”
Herodotus	Histories	“When the appointed day had come (ἥκω), they began the deliberations about the future of their city.”
Sophocles	Antigone	“I have come (ἥκω) to bring the news, to speak of the fate of those who defy the laws.”
Septuagint	Genesis 18:21	“I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come (ἥκω) to Me.”
Septuagint	Isaiah 9:1	“But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish; in earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He shall make it glorious, by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.” Here, ἥκω is used to express the coming of a better time.
Septuagint	Malachi 3:1	“Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come (ἥκω) to His temple.”

Summary of ἥκω (G2240: hēkō)

The Greek verb ἥκω (hēkō) is a significant word in both Biblical and classical Greek contexts, meaning “to come,” “to have come,” or “to be present.” It is frequently used to describe the arrival of a person, event, or time, particularly in contexts of fulfillment or presence. The word appears in the New Testament, conveying the notion of arrival or presence in crucial moments, such as the coming of Jesus or the arrival of divine messengers. In classical literature, ἥκω is employed to depict both literal arrivals and metaphorical presences, adding depth to narratives and philosophical discourses.

Did You Know?

The concept of ἥκω is closely related to the idea of “kairos,” or the appointed time, in Greek thought, emphasizing the fulfillment of an action or event.
In classical literature, ἥκω was often used to express not only physical arrival but also the coming of abstract concepts like justice, fate, or destiny.
The usage of ἥκω in New Testament Greek sometimes parallels the Hebrew idea of “bo,” meaning “to come” or “arrive,” found in the Old Testament, linking both Testaments in the theme of divine action and fulfillment.