Introduction

In the realm of Biblical studies, understanding numerical terms in their original Greek context is crucial for accurate interpretation and deeper insight into the text. The word ἑνδέκατος (hendekatos), meaning “eleventh,” plays a specific role in both chronological and theological contexts within the New Testament. Numerals like ἑνδέκατος are not only important for counting and indicating sequence but also for their symbolic meanings, which can provide additional layers of understanding in scriptural exegesis. By exploring the usage and significance of ἑνδέκατος, we can appreciate how such terms contribute to the overall narrative and theological message of the New Testament, as well as how they were perceived in ancient Greek culture.

Key Information

• Greek Word: ἑνδέκατος (hendekatos) [hen-DEH-ka-tos]
• Etymology: The word ἑνδέκατος is derived from ἕνδεκα (hendeka), meaning “eleven,” and the suffix -τος, which forms ordinal numbers.
• Part of Speech: Adjective (ordinal number, indeclinable)
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings

• Eleventh: The primary meaning of ἑνδέκατος is “eleventh,” denoting the position in a sequence.

Similar Words:

• Πρῶτος (protos) [PRO-tos]: Meaning “first,” it is another ordinal number often used in the New Testament to denote the primary or most important position.
• Δεύτερος (deuteros) [DEY-ter-os]: Meaning “second,” it is used to indicate the second position in a sequence, often found in lists or chronological accounts.
• Δωδέκατος (dodekatos) [do-DE-ka-tos]: Meaning “twelfth,” this word is closely related to ἑνδέκατος and follows it in numerical order, often used when referencing the twelve apostles.

Further Insights:

• Morphology: As an ordinal number, ἑνδέκατος is indeclinable, meaning it does not change form based on gender, case, or number. It remains consistent regardless of its grammatical role in a sentence.
• Linguistic Features: The formation of ἑνδέκατος from ἕνδεκα (eleven) with the suffix -τος shows the typical pattern of creating ordinal numbers in Greek, highlighting the structured nature of the language.

Lexicon Insights

BDAG:
The BDAG lexicon notes that ἑνδέκατος is used to indicate the eleventh in a series, often related to time or position in a sequence. It emphasizes the importance of order and structure in New Testament writings.

Thayer’s:
Thayer’s lexicon highlights the use of ἑνδέκατος in specific New Testament passages where the order of events or the position of individuals is crucial for understanding the narrative. It underscores the term’s role in emphasizing the precision of timing or placement.

LSJ:
The Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon provides examples of ἑνδέκατος from classical Greek literature, showing its consistent use across various texts to denote the eleventh position in a series, whether in lists, sequences of events, or other ordered arrangements.

Vine’s:
Vine’s Expository Dictionary connects ἑνδέκατος with other ordinal numbers in the New Testament, noting its usage in describing sequences that have theological significance, such as the timing of events in eschatological contexts.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:
Strong’s Concordance emphasizes the straightforward nature of ἑνδέκατος as an ordinal number, used in contexts where precision in counting or sequencing is necessary for the narrative or theological point being made.

Scripture References

• Matthew 20:6: “And about the eleventh (ἑνδέκατος) hour he went out and found others standing idle, and he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?'”
• Matthew 20:9: “And when those hired about the eleventh (ἑνδέκατος) hour came, each of them received a denarius.”
• Matthew 20:12: “Saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat, though they came at the eleventh (ἑνδέκατος) hour.'”

Classical Usage

Summary of ἑνδέκατος (G1734: hendekatos)

The word ἑνδέκατος (hendekatos), meaning “eleventh,” is a crucial term in the Greek New Testament that provides both numerical and symbolic meaning. As an ordinal number, it is used to indicate the eleventh position in a sequence, often carrying theological significance, especially in contexts such as parables and narratives that require precise timing or ordering. Understanding the use of ἑνδέκατος helps in comprehending the structured approach of the New Testament writers, as well as the broader cultural importance of order and sequence in ancient Greek society.

Did You Know?

In ancient Greek culture, the number eleven, and by extension the eleventh hour, was often associated with last-minute decisions or actions. This cultural nuance is reflected in the New Testament parable of the workers in the vineyard, where those hired at the “eleventh hour” received the same wages as those who worked all day, emphasizing the themes of grace and unexpected generosity.