Understanding εἶτα (eita) Strong’s G1534: The Sequential Connector That Reveals Divine Order and Timing in Scripture

Pronunciation Guide: EYE-tah

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1534: Εἶτα (eita) is an adverb that indicates sequence, succession, or temporal progression, typically translated as “then,” “next,” or “afterward.” It marks a clear progression in a series of events or logical sequence, emphasizing the orderly unfolding of actions or thoughts. In biblical contexts, εἶτα often highlights divine timing and the purposeful arrangement of God’s actions in salvation history.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of speech: Adverb of sequence/time
• Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary usage: Narrative portions, didactic teaching, and parables
• Function: Indicates sequential progression or logical continuation
• Common in: Gospel accounts, Pauline epistles, and argumentative discourse
• Related to: ἔπειτα (epeita, “thereafter”)
• Frequency: Appears 15 times in the New Testament

Εἶτα Morphology:

• εἶτα – As an adverb, it remains uninflected in all contexts

Origin & History

The term εἶτα has deep roots in classical Greek literature, where it functioned as a temporal and sequential marker in narrative and argumentative discourse. In works of Plato’s “Republic,” εἶτα appears frequently to mark progression in philosophical arguments, creating a step-by-step logical structure. Similarly, Aristotle employed εἶτα in his “Nicomachean Ethics” to establish sequential relationships between moral concepts and their practical applications.

In the Septuagint (LXX), εἶτα appears sparingly but significantly, often marking divine sequential actions in historical narratives. Its transition into Koine Greek preserved its fundamental meaning of succession while developing nuanced applications in various literary contexts. By the time of the New Testament, εἶτα had become a versatile connector that could indicate not just temporal sequence but also logical progression and sometimes even surprising contrast (“and yet then”).

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Sequential time marker – indicating the next event in chronological order
• Logical connector – showing the next step in an argument or thought process
• Narrative transition – moving the storyline forward to a subsequent development
• Emphatic marker – highlighting an unexpected or significant development following a previous action

Εἶτα Translation Options:

• “Then” – Best captures the basic sequential nature (Mark 4:17)
• “Next” – Emphasizes orderly progression in a series (Mark 8:25)
• “Afterward” – Highlights temporal distance between events (Luke 8:12)
• “Furthermore” – Useful when εἶτα introduces a logical extension rather than temporal sequence (1 Corinthians 15:24)
• “And then” – Combines continuity with progression (1 Timothy 3:10)

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, εἶτα appears 15 times, with notable concentrations in Mark’s Gospel and Paul’s letters. Its first appearance in Mark 4:17 occurs within the parable of the sower, where εἶτα marks the critical moment when persecution arises and those without deep roots fall away. This inaugural usage establishes an important pattern: εἶτα often introduces a turning point or significant development in a spiritual narrative.

In the Pauline corpus, εἶτα takes on theological significance, particularly in 1 Corinthians 15:23-24, where it structures the resurrection order, demonstrating divine organization in eschatological events. The term creates a divinely orchestrated sequence: “Christ the firstfruits, then (εἶτα) those who belong to Christ at his coming, then (εἶτα) comes the end.” This usage reveals how εἶτα can function not merely as a temporal marker but as a theological indicator of God’s ordered plan of redemption.

• “And these have no root in themselves, but are temporary; then [εἶτα], when affliction or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble.” Mark 4:17
• “Then [εἶτα] He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up.” Mark 8:25
• “Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then [εἶτα] the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts.” Luke 8:12
• “Then [εἶτα] comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father.” 1 Corinthians 15:24
• “But let these also first be tested; then [εἶτα] let them serve as deacons, being found blameless.” 1 Timothy 3:10
• “Then [εἶτα] desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” James 1:15
• “After that [εἶτα] He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time.” 1 Corinthians 15:6

Cultural Insights

In ancient Greco-Roman rhetoric, sequence markers like εἶτα played a crucial role in public discourse and persuasive speech. Orators trained in the rhetorical schools would use sequential adverbs to structure their arguments for maximum impact, creating a sense of inevitable progression from premise to conclusion. The Messiah Yeshua and the apostle Paul, both skilled communicators, employed this rhetorical technique when using εἶτα in their teachings and letters, adapting cultural communication patterns to convey spiritual truths.

Particularly fascinating is how εἶτα functions within Jewish apocalyptic literature and thought, which emphasized the ordered unfolding of God’s plan throughout history. In Jewish apocalyptic thinking, history was not viewed as random but as a carefully sequenced divine drama moving toward a predetermined conclusion. When Paul uses εἶτα in 1 Corinthians 15 to structure the resurrection sequence, he’s drawing on this Jewish apocalyptic framework, portraying resurrection not as a single event but as an ordered process with the Messiah as its first manifestation and guarantor of what follows.

Theological Significance

The strategic placement of εἶτα throughout the New Testament reveals a profound theological truth: God works according to deliberate timing and ordered progression. When Yeshua uses εἶτα in His parables, He illustrates how the Kingdom of God unfolds not chaotically but systematically, with each stage building upon the previous. This reflects the character of יהוה (Yahweh) as revealed throughout Scripture—a God of order, not confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33), whose redemptive work progresses according to His perfect wisdom and timing.

Perhaps most significantly, the use of εἶτα in eschatological contexts demonstrates that God’s salvific plan has a clear sequence and structure. In 1 Corinthians 15:23-24, Paul employs εἶτα to mark the distinct phases of resurrection, beginning with Messiah as the “firstfruits,” followed by those who belong to Him at His coming, and culminating in the final consummation when He delivers the kingdom to the Father. This sequential presentation underscores the sovereignty of God, who orchestrates history according to His predetermined plan, ensuring that nothing in our salvation is accidental or improvisational. The divine “thens” (εἶτα) of Scripture remind us that we serve a God who works methodically toward His glorious purposes.

Personal Application

Understanding εἶτα challenges us to recognize and respect God’s timing in our spiritual journey. Just as Scripture uses this term to mark important sequential developments in God’s redemptive plan, we too must learn to discern the “then” moments in our lives—those pivotal transitions when God moves us from one spiritual stage to the next. When facing delays or periods of waiting, remembering εἶτα can remind us that what appears as divine hesitation is often divine sequence.

In practical terms, εἶτα invites us to examine the logical progression of our spiritual growth. Are we allowing each stage of our walk with God to build naturally upon the previous one? Or are we attempting to shortcut the process? The concept embedded in εἶτα encourages patience with God’s developmental timeline in our lives and ministries, trusting that He who began a good work in us will carry it through to completion (Philippians 1:6)—not all at once, but step by step, εἶτα by εἶτα, until we reach the fullness of maturity in Messiah.

Related Words

• ἔπειτα (epeita) – “thereafter, then, moreover” – A strengthened form of εἶτα that places greater emphasis on the sequence and often indicates a more significant time gap between events. While εἶτα can indicate immediate sequence, ἔπειτα typically suggests a more notable interval. See G1899
• τότε (tote) – “then, at that time” – Unlike εἶτα which emphasizes sequence in a series, τότε points to a specific moment or occasion, often in reference to a previously mentioned time or condition being fulfilled. See G5119
• λοιπόν (loipon) – “finally, moreover, henceforth” – While εἶτα marks a middle step in progression, λοιπόν typically signals movement toward conclusion or the final items in a series. See G3063
• μετά (meta) – “after, behind” (when used with accusative case) – Unlike the adverb εἶτα, μετά is a preposition requiring an object to establish temporal relationship, providing more specific time reference. See G3326
• καί (kai) – “and, even, also” – A general connective that can sometimes function like εἶτα to indicate sequence, but lacks the explicit sequential force that εἶτα carries. See G2532

Did you Know?

• Did you know that εἶτα appears at crucial turning points in several of Yeshua’s parables? In the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:17), εἶτα marks the moment when persecution arrives and reveals the true condition of the shallow soil—a literary technique that heightens the dramatic tension and underscores the critical nature of spiritual testing in the life of faith.
• Did you know that in ancient Greek dramatic performances, stage directions would often include εἶτα to indicate when actors should transition to the next scene or emotional state? This theatrical background illuminates how the New Testament writers may have employed εἶτα not merely as a logical connector but as a dramatic device to signal pivotal shifts in salvation history’s unfolding drama.
• Did you know that in modern Greek, εἶτα has evolved into “είτα” (eita) and still maintains its sequential meaning? However, it has become somewhat literary and formal, being replaced in everyday speech by “μετά” (meta) or “έπειτα” (epeita). This linguistic evolution mirrors how certain aspects of biblical Greek have been preserved in formal or ecclesiastical contexts while everyday language has shifted—a reminder of how understanding ancient Greek terms requires cultural and historical sensitivity.

Remember This

Εἶτα reminds us that in God’s economy, timing is never accidental—His divine “thens” reveal a purposeful progression that moves inexorably toward the fulfillment of His perfect plan for creation and redemption.