G1766
Introduction
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In Biblical studies, understanding Greek words can greatly enhance our comprehension of scripture by revealing nuanced meanings that are not always evident in translation. The Greek word ἔνατος (énatos) is significant as it denotes the ordinal concept of “ninth.” While this word appears relatively straightforward, it has importance in contexts related to time, order, and enumeration, particularly in ancient Greek culture and New Testament writings. Understanding ἔνατος helps in interpreting passages that refer to specific timings or events occurring in a sequence.
Key Information
- The Greek Word: ἔνατος (énatos) [EH-na-tos]
- Etymology Root Words and Meanings: Derived from the cardinal number ἐννέα (ennea, “nine”), forming the ordinal number to denote “ninth.”
- Part of Speech: Adjective. As an ordinal number, it follows the standard declension patterns for Greek adjectives.
- The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.
Primary Meanings
- Ninth — denoting the position of something in a sequence, specifically the ninth in order.
- The ninth hour — often used in scriptural contexts to indicate a specific time of day, typically around 3 p.m. in the Roman and Jewish timekeeping systems.
Similar Words: ἕβδομος (hebdomos) [HEB-do-mos] means “seventh,” and ὄγδοος (ogdoos) [OG-doh-os] means “eighth,” both of which are also ordinal numbers indicating a position in a sequence. ἔνατος specifically denotes the “ninth” position, making it unique in its placement and usage.
Further Insights: ἔνατος is an ordinal adjective formed from the cardinal number ἐννέα (“nine”). As with other Greek ordinals, it follows a regular declension pattern that agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies. Its usage in Biblical and classical texts often reflects the importance of specific times, especially in religious or ritual contexts.
Declension of ἔνατος
| Case | Masculine Singular | Feminine Singular | Neuter Singular | Masculine Plural | Feminine Plural | Neuter Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | ἔνατος | ἐνάτη | ἔνατον | ἔνατοι | ἐναταί | ἔνατα |
| Genitive | ἐνάτου | ἐνάτης | ἐνάτου | ἐνάτων | ἐνατῶν | ἐνάτων |
| Dative | ἐνάτῳ | ἐνάτῃ | ἐνάτῳ | ἐνάτοις | ἐναταῖς | ἐνάτοις |
| Accusative | ἔνατον | ἐνάτην | ἔνατον | ἐνάτους | ἐνατάς | ἔνατα |
| Vocative | ἔνατε | ἐνάτη | ἔνατον | ἔνατοι | ἐναταί | ἔνατα |
Lexicon Insights
BDAG: ἔνατος is defined as “ninth,” primarily used in enumeration to indicate a position in a sequence. It is often employed in descriptions of time, particularly the ninth hour of the day.
Thayers: Thayer’s lexicon highlights ἔνατος as an ordinal number meaning “ninth.” It is often used in contexts where precise time or order is essential, such as in Jewish ritual practices or Roman timekeeping.
Vines: Vines Expository Dictionary describes ἔνατος as “ninth,” noting its specific use in the New Testament to denote the “ninth hour,” a significant time in Jewish daily prayers and Roman practices.
LSJ: The Liddell-Scott-Jones Greek-English Lexicon provides examples of ἔνατος used in both Biblical and classical Greek literature. It is identified as an ordinal adjective that can be applied to any sequence, most commonly to mark a time period or sequence order.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s concordance defines ἔνατος as “ninth.” It notes its frequent usage in timekeeping contexts, especially in the New Testament, where it indicates a specific time for prayer or important events.
Scripture References
- Matthew 27:46 — “And about the ninth (ἔνατη) hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?”
- Acts 3:1 — “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth (ἔνατη) hour.”
- Acts 10:3 — “He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth (ἔνατη) hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.”
Classical Usage
| Author | Name of Work | English Text |
|---|---|---|
| Hippocrates | Aphorisms | “In the ninth (ἔνατος) month, the fever often subsides.” |
| Thucydides | History of the Peloponnesian War | “The battle commenced in the ninth (ἔνατος) hour of the day.” |
| Plutarch | Lives | “It was on the ninth (ἔνατος) day that the sacrifices were offered.” |
| Septuagint | Leviticus 25:22 | “And ye shall sow the eighth year, and eat yet of old fruit until the ninth (ἔνατος) year.” |
| Septuagint | 1 Kings 12:32 | “Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made. So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.” |
Summary of ἔνατος (G1766)
ἔνατος (énatos) is a Greek ordinal adjective meaning “ninth.” It is primarily used in Biblical and classical texts to denote the ninth position in a sequence, often relating to time or events. Its appearance in the New Testament frequently pertains to the “ninth hour,” a critical time for daily prayers and significant events. Understanding ἔνατος allows for a more precise comprehension of scriptural chronology and ancient practices related to timekeeping and ritual observances.
Did You Know?
In the Jewish tradition, the ninth hour (around 3 p.m.) was the time of the evening sacrifice and prayer. This timing is significant in several New Testament events, such as Peter and John going to the temple to pray (Acts 3:1) and Jesus’ cry on the cross (Matthew 27:46). The use of ἔνατος in these contexts underscores the importance of specific times in religious observance and divine encounters in the early Christian and Jewish traditions.