Introduction
Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies enriches our comprehension of the New Testament and enhances our grasp of ancient Greek culture. The Greek word ἱκανός (hikanos), often translated as “sufficient,” “worthy,” or “able,” appears in various New Testament passages. It plays a significant role in expressing capability, adequacy, or fitness, both in practical and spiritual contexts. Exploring ἱκανός deepens our understanding of biblical teachings related to sufficiency, worthiness, and the adequacy of individuals in the sight of God.
Key Information
- The Greek Word: ἱκανός, transliterated as hikanos [hee-kah-NOS].
- Etymology: Possibly derived from the Greek verb ἱκνέομαι (hikneomai), meaning “to come” or “to arrive,” implying reaching a state of adequacy or sufficiency.
- Part of Speech: Adjective.
- Grammatical Details: First and second declension adjective, with variations depending on gender (masculine, feminine, neuter) and case (nominative, genitive, dative, accusative).
- The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.
Primary Meanings
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- Sufficient: Adequate in amount or degree; meeting the necessary requirements.
- Worthy: Deserving of a particular honor, status, or treatment.
- Able: Having the capability or power to do something.
Similar Words: ἄξιος (axios) [AHK-see-ohs], meaning “worthy” or “deserving.” While ἄξιος emphasizes a sense of value or worthiness, ἱκανός is more focused on the adequacy or sufficiency required for a task or status. Both words may overlap in meaning but are used in different contexts to convey distinct nuances.
Further Insights: ἱκανός is an adjective of the first and second declension, which means its forms vary based on gender, case, and number. Below is the full declension of ἱκανός:
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | ἱκανός | ἱκανή | ἱκανόν |
| Genitive | ἱκανοῦ | ἱκανῆς | ἱκανοῦ |
| Dative | ἱκανῷ | ἱκανῇ | ἱκανῷ |
| Accusative | ἱκανόν | ἱκανήν | ἱκανόν |
| Vocative | ἱκανέ | ἱκανή | ἱκανόν |
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Lexicon Insights
BDAG: Defines ἱκανός primarily as “sufficient” or “adequate,” particularly in contexts where adequacy for a role or task is in view. It also covers extended meanings such as “considerable” or “many,” depending on the context of its use in the New Testament.
Thayers: Provides a detailed breakdown of ἱκανός in various biblical contexts, emphasizing its usage to describe persons who are “fit” or “qualified” for a purpose. Thayer’s lexicon points out its connection to worthiness, adequacy, and even length or duration in certain passages.
Vines: Discusses ἱκανός in terms of adequacy and capacity. Vines focuses on its application in the New Testament to describe the sufficiency of believers in relation to God’s grace and spiritual gifts.
LSJ: Lists ἱκανός as an adjective meaning “sufficient,” “worthy,” or “capable,” highlighting its usage in both classical and biblical Greek texts. LSJ also references broader meanings such as “considerable” or “large,” emphasizing the word’s versatility.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Notes ἱκανός (G2425) as “sufficient” or “worthy.” Strong’s Concordance provides cross-references to all occurrences in the New Testament, emphasizing its importance in conveying adequacy or capability.
Related Scripture References
- Matthew 3:11: “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy [ἱκανός] to carry.”
- 2 Corinthians 3:5: “Not that we are sufficient [ἱκανοί] of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency [ἱκανός] is from God.”
- Acts 22:22: “They listened to him up to this statement, and then they raised their voices and said, ‘Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit [ἱκανός] to live!'”
Classical Usage
| Author | Name of Work | English Text |
|---|---|---|
| Plato | Republic | “And a man who is sufficient (ἱκανός) to do something is one who is capable of doing it adequately.” |
| Herodotus | Histories | “They found the amount sufficient (ἱκανός) to satisfy the city’s needs.” |
| Septuagint | Wisdom of Solomon 7:22 | “For in her is a spirit that is intelligent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, agile, clear, undefiled, plain, not subject to hurt, loving the good, keen, irresistible, beneficent, humane, steadfast, sure, free from care, all-powerful, overseeing all, and penetrating through all spirits that are intelligent and pure and most subtle.” |
Summary of ἱκανός (G2425)
The Greek word ἱκανός (hikanos) carries a rich semantic range from “sufficient” to “worthy” and “able,” providing a deep understanding of capability and adequacy in both practical and spiritual contexts. Its application in the New Testament emphasizes the sufficiency of individuals for various tasks or roles, often highlighting divine empowerment or qualification. The adjective’s grammatical structure allows it to be versatile, adapting to different gender, case, and number forms. Recognizing the nuances of ἱκανός helps readers appreciate the depth of the New Testament’s teachings on grace, ability, and worthiness.
Did You Know?
- The word ἱκανός can also refer to time or space, suggesting “considerable” duration or length.
- In Acts 22:22, ἱκανός is used in a negative context, describing someone unworthy to live.
- The concept of sufficiency (ἱκανός) in the New Testament often connects with divine grace, where human adequacy is not self-derived but provided by God.
This comprehensive overview of ἱκανός enriches our understanding of its theological and practical implications, making it valuable for both beginner and advanced studies in biblical Greek.
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