Introduction

Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies is essential for grasping the original meaning and context of the scriptures. The Greek word ἡμιθανής (hēmithanēs) is particularly significant as it appears in descriptions of critical situations in the New Testament. This word, which translates to “half-dead” or “nearly dead,” is relevant for interpreting narratives where life and death are at stake, helping readers understand the gravity of certain biblical events and passages.

Key Information

• The Greek Word: ἡμιθανής (hēmithanēs), pronounced [hay-mee-tha-NAYS].
• Etymology: Derived from the Greek prefix ἡμι- (hēmi-), meaning “half,” and θανής (thanēs), from the root θνῄσκω (thnēskō), meaning “to die.”
• Part of Speech: Adjective; first and third declension.
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

• Half-dead: Refers to someone who is almost dead, barely alive.
• Nearly dead: Indicates a state of being on the brink of death, often implying severe injury or exhaustion.

Similar Words: θανάσιμος (thanásimos) means “deadly” or “mortal,” pronounced [tha-NAH-see-mos], and νεκρός (nekrós) means “dead” or “corpse,” pronounced [ne-KROS]. While θανάσιμος conveys something that causes death, and νεκρός indicates a state of being dead, ἡμιθανής (hēmithanēs) describes a condition where one is close to dying but not yet deceased.

Further Insights: ἡμιθανής (hēmithanēs) is an adjective and follows a mixed declension pattern (first and third declension) in Greek grammar. It has masculine, feminine, and neuter forms. Here is the declension chart:

Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.

Lexicon Insights

BDAG: ἡμιθανής (hēmithanēs) is described as “half-dead,” specifically referring to someone who is severely injured or on the verge of death. It is used metaphorically to denote extreme physical or spiritual distress.

Thayers: Thayer’s Lexicon defines ἡμιθανής (hēmithanēs) as “half-dead” or “nearly dead,” emphasizing the proximity to death while still being technically alive.

Vines: Vine’s Expository Dictionary highlights ἡμιθανής (hēmithanēs) in its context of use in the parable of the Good Samaritan, where it conveys the desperate condition of a man left for dead by robbers.

LSJ: The Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon provides a comprehensive look at ἡμιθανής (hēmithanēs) as used in classical Greek literature, where it often appears in dramatic descriptions of battle scenes or moments of crisis.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s Concordance categorizes ἡμιθανής (hēmithanēs) under Strong’s G2253 and translates it as “half-dead,” confirming its use in contexts that highlight imminent danger or death.

Related Scripture References

• Luke 10:30: “And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half-dead (ἡμιθανῆ).”

Classical Usage

Summary of ἡμιθανής (G2253: hēmithanēs)

The Greek word ἡμιθανής (hēmithanēs), meaning “half-dead” or “nearly dead,” is an adjective that appears in dramatic contexts within the New Testament, particularly in narratives describing severe injury or near-death experiences. It derives from the prefix ἡμι- (hēmi-), meaning “half,” and θανής (thanēs), related to death. Its use conveys the precarious state between life and death, offering rich imagery and deep understanding of critical situations in both biblical and classical Greek texts.

Did You Know?

• ἡμιθανής (hēmithanēs) is a vivid term that appears only once in the New Testament but has a powerful impact, particularly in the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
• The word combines elements that mean “half” and “death,” making it a unique expression of someone who is barely clinging to life.
• In classical literature, ἡμιθανής (hēmithanēs) often depicts soldiers or warriors on the brink of death, creating powerful scenes of human endurance and mortality.

By exploring ἡμιθανής (hēmithanēs), we deepen our understanding of how Greek authors and biblical writers conveyed moments of extreme peril and the delicate balance between life and death.