G1812
Introduction
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Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies is crucial for a deeper comprehension of the scriptures. The Greek word ἑξακόσιοι (hexakósioi) translates to “six hundred” and is significant in both the Old and New Testament contexts, particularly in passages dealing with counts, measurements, or quantities. Knowing such numerical terms helps in interpreting the Bible’s descriptions of events, people, or items, and also reveals how ancient Greek culture quantified and conveyed numbers.
Key Information
- The Greek Word: ἑξακόσιοι (hexakósioi) [hek-sa-KO-see-oi]
- Etymology: From ἕξ (héx), meaning “six,” combined with -κόσιοι (-kósioi), a suffix denoting multiples of a hundred.
- Part of Speech: Adjective (numeral); typically used in the plural form to represent a quantity.
- The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.
Primary Meanings
- Six hundred (600)
Similar Words: ἕξ (héx) [HEHKS] means “six,” which is the root of ἑξακόσιοι. Meanwhile, ἑκατόν (hekatón) [he-ka-TON] means “one hundred,” which shares the “-kósioi” suffix pattern seen in other multiples of hundreds.
Further Insights: ἑξακόσιοι is a compound word that builds on the basic numeral ἕξ (“six”) and the suffix -κόσιοι that modifies it to indicate a multiple of one hundred. The word’s form changes slightly based on its grammatical case in a sentence (nominative, genitive, dative, and accusative), as it agrees with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and case. Below is a declension table for ἑξακόσιοι:
| Case / Gender | Masculine (ἑξακόσιοι) | Feminine (ἑξακόσιαι) | Neuter (ἑξακόσια) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | ἑξακόσιοι | ἑξακόσιαι | ἑξακόσια |
| Genitive | ἑξακοσίων | ἑξακοσίων | ἑξακοσίων |
| Dative | ἑξακοσίοις | ἑξακοσίαις | ἑξακοσίοις |
| Accusative | ἑξακοσίους | ἑξακοσίας | ἑξακόσια |
Lexicon Insights
BDAG: ἑξακόσιοι is listed as an adjective indicating the numeral “six hundred,” often appearing in contexts where large groups of people, measurements, or quantities are mentioned.
Thayers: ἑξακόσιοι is noted as a numeral adjective used in both classical and biblical texts. It appears in contexts that require precise counting, such as military or census records.
Vines: Emphasizes the numerical and descriptive use of ἑξακόσιοι in both sacred and secular Greek literature, indicating that it was a standard way to refer to the number six hundred.
LSJ: Lists ἑξακόσιοι as a common numerical adjective used throughout Greek literature, including historical, mathematical, and descriptive contexts.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Describes ἑξακόσιοι simply as “six hundred,” confirming its appearance in specific passages to denote that exact number.
Related Scripture References
- Revelation 14:20 – “And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.”
Classical Usage
| Author | Name of Work | English text with the Greek word |
|---|---|---|
| Herodotus | Histories | “He led an army of six hundred (ἑξακόσιοι) men across the plain.” |
| Plato | Republic | “Six hundred (ἑξακόσιοι) horses were stationed in the field.” |
| Polybius | Histories | “The fleet was comprised of six hundred (ἑξακόσιοι) ships.” |
Septuagint Usage
| Author | Name of Work | English text with the Greek word |
|---|---|---|
| Moses | Exodus | “And there were six hundred (ἑξακόσιοι) chariots in Pharaoh’s army.” |
| Joshua | Joshua | “The number of the men of war was six hundred (ἑξακόσιοι).” |
| Ezekiel | Ezekiel | “The measurements of the city were six hundred (ἑξακόσιοι) cubits.” |
Summary of ἑξακόσιοι (G1812: hexakósioi)
The Greek word ἑξακόσιοι (hexakósioi) is a numerical adjective meaning “six hundred.” It appears in both the New Testament and the Septuagint to denote significant quantities, such as soldiers, horses, or other large groups. This word, rooted in basic Greek numerals, illustrates the importance of precision and quantification in ancient Greek culture, both in secular and religious contexts. Its understanding is crucial for interpreting texts involving measurements, counts, or any reference to the number six hundred.
Did You Know?
Did You Know? The prefix “hexa-” in Greek, which means “six,” is the root for many modern English words such as “hexagon” (a six-sided shape) and “hexapod” (an insect with six legs). The ancient Greeks were not only meticulous with numbers but also had a profound impact on our modern numerical vocabulary!