G3764

Unveiling the Word

The Greek word οὐδέπω (oudépō) translates to “not yet” and is used to express a negation concerning time or occurrence. This adverb signifies that something has not happened up until the present moment but may still occur in the future. Its significance is underscored in the context of anticipation and delay, commonly seen in discussions about prophetic events or future promises. The word combines the negation prefix οὐ (ou), meaning “not,” with ποτέ (poté), which means “ever” or “at any time.” In biblical passages, such as Luke 23:53, οὐδέπω is employed to convey a sense of waiting or expectation regarding the fulfillment of God’s plans.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: οὐδέπω (oudépō) [oo-deh-poh]

Etymology: The term is a compound of the negation οὐ (ou), meaning “not,” and ποτέ (poté), meaning “ever” or “at any time.” This combination captures the essence of something that has not occurred at any point up to the present.

Part of Speech: Adverb.

The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Defining Meanings

The primary meanings of οὐδέπω include:

Not yet: This is the primary meaning, indicating that something has not occurred up to the present time, but may still happen in the future.

At no time up to now: This emphasizes the continuous negation of an event occurring in the past, reinforcing the concept of expectation.

Awaiting fulfillment: This connotation suggests a delay in the expected event, highlighting a sense of hope or anticipation for future action.

Exploring Similar Words

οὐ (ou) (ou) [oo]: This basic negation simply means “not.” It differs from οὐδέπω in that it does not specifically indicate a time-related aspect.

ποτέ (poté) (poté) [poh-teh]: Meaning “ever” or “at any time,” this word serves as the affirmative counterpart to οὐδέπω, which incorporates a negation regarding time.

οὐδέ (oudé) (ou-deh) [oo-deh]: This word means “nor” or “not even,” connecting two negative statements. While it carries negation, it functions differently than οὐδέπω, which is focused on time.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

For Adverbs:

The morphological structure of οὐδέπω is simple, as it does not change form based on case, number, or gender. It functions consistently as an adverb to express negation concerning time.

Studying Lexicon Insights

Insights from various Greek lexicons illustrate that οὐδέπω serves as a crucial temporal adverb, emphasizing the notion of anticipation in biblical texts. It frequently appears in contexts discussing prophetic fulfillment and the timing of God’s actions. The word’s implications are significant in discussions of eschatology, as it reflects the expectations of believers regarding the return of Christ and the culmination of divine promises. Its usage in both the New Testament and classical Greek literature highlights the timeless nature of hope and expectation in the human experience.

This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

Luke 23:53: “Then he took it down and wrapped it in linen and laid it in a tomb that was cut in stone, where no one had ever [οὐδέπω] been laid.”

James 4:2: “You desire and do not have; so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. [οὐδέπω]”

Matthew 26:64: “Jesus said to him, ‘You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.’ [οὐδέπω]”

Analyzing Classical Usage

In classical Greek literature, οὐδέπω appears in various contexts emphasizing temporal negation.

Example 1: Plato, The Republic: “Justice does not exist in a society that has not yet [οὐδέπω] been fully realized.”

Example 2: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics: “The ideal state of happiness has not yet [οὐδέπω] been achieved by many.”

Example 3: Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War: “There has not yet [οὐδέπω] been peace among the warring factions.”

Septuagint Example 1: Isaiah 53:1: “Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? [οὐδέπω]”

Septuagint Example 2: Exodus 34:24: “For I will cast out the nations before you and enlarge your borders, and no one shall covet your land, when you go up to appear before the Lord your God three times in the year. [οὐδέπω]”

Septuagint Example 3: Psalm 71:14: “But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more. [οὐδέπω]”

Noteworthy Summary

The Greek word οὐδέπω conveys a powerful message of anticipation and temporal negation, underscoring its role in biblical and literary contexts to signify the wait for fulfillment, highlighting themes of hope and expectation regarding future events.

Did You Know?

1. The word οὐδέπω is frequently used in biblical prophecies, illustrating the anticipation of God’s promises being fulfilled in the future.

2. Its structure combines two elements, reinforcing the negation not just of an occurrence, but of any expectation of it happening at present.

3. In modern biblical translations, οὐδέπω is often rendered as “not yet,” emphasizing the ongoing nature of waiting for divine action or promise.

Strong’s G3764: οὐδέπω (oudépō) translates as “not yet,” highlighting the sense of anticipation in biblical texts, often in reference to the fulfillment of divine promises and the hope for future events.