Understanding ἅπαξ (hapax) Strong’s G530: The Profound Truth in God’s “Once for All” Actions in Scripture

Pronunciation Guide: hap’-ax (as in “ha” + “packs”)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G530: ἅπαξ (hapax) signifies “once, one time only” with particular emphasis on the finality and completeness of an action. In biblical usage, it often carries theological weight, indicating a definitive, unrepeatable event or declaration, especially in relation to the Messiah’s sacrificial work.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Adverb
• Root Word: Derived from ἁ (ha) copulative and πήγνυμι (pegnumi, “to fix”)
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Narrative and doctrinal passages, especially in epistolary literature

ἅπαξ Morphology:

• ἅπαξ (adverbial form) – once, one time
• ἐφάπαξ (compound form) – once for all time
• καθάπαξ (compound form) – completely, once for all

Origin & History

The term ἅπαξ emerged in classical Greek literature as a precise temporal marker, appearing in works of Herodotus and Thucydides to denote singular, noteworthy events. In Plato’s “Republic” (Book IV), it was employed to emphasize the uniqueness of certain philosophical principles.

The Septuagint translators adopted ἅπαξ to render Hebrew expressions of singularity and finality, particularly in legal and sacrificial contexts. This usage established a foundation for its later theological significance in the New Testament, where it became closely associated with the finality of divine acts.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A single occurrence with emphasis on completeness
• An action done once with lasting effect
• A definitive moment marking a permanent change

ἅπαξ Translation Options:

• “Once” – When emphasizing numerical singularity
• “Once for all” – When highlighting the finality and completeness of an action
• “At one time” – When referring to a specific historical moment
• “Once and for all” – When stressing both singularity and permanence

Biblical Usage

The most theologically significant uses of ἅπαξ appear in contexts discussing the Messiah’s sacrificial death and its eternal efficacy. Its usage in Hebrews 9:28 powerfully contrasts with the repetitive nature of Old Testament sacrifices, emphasizing the completeness of Yeshua’s atoning work.

In the Pauline epistles, ἅπαξ often marks pivotal moments in salvation history, highlighting the decisiveness of God’s actions in Messiah. The term appears in contexts emphasizing the finality of divine revelation and the permanent effects of redemptive events.

• “[Three times I was beaten with rods] once [ἅπαξ] I was stoned” 2 Corinthians 11:25
• “For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all [ἅπαξ]” Romans 6:10
• “Who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all [ἅπαξ]” Hebrews 7:27
• “The faith which was once for all [ἅπαξ] handed down to the saints” Jude 1:3
• “Christ also died for sins once for all [ἅπαξ]” 1 Peter 3:18

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish sacrificial practice, the repeated nature of offerings emphasized their temporary efficacy. The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) required annual repetition, highlighting humanity’s continuous need for cleansing. The concept of ἅπαξ in relation to Messiah’s sacrifice represented a radical departure from this cyclical pattern, announcing a new covenant reality where one perfect sacrifice achieved eternal effectiveness.

The term carried particular weight in Greco-Roman legal contexts, where certain declarations or actions were considered irrevocable once performed. This cultural understanding enriched the term’s theological significance in expressing the permanence of God’s redemptive work.

Theological Significance

The use of ἅπαξ in relation to Messiah’s sacrifice reveals the perfect sufficiency of His atoning work. Unlike the repeated sacrifices of the Old Covenant, which served as shadows pointing to a greater reality, Yeshua’s one-time offering achieved eternal redemption for those who trust in Him.

This concept powerfully demonstrates God’s wisdom in salvation history. The repetitive nature of the Old Covenant sacrificial system wasn’t a divine oversight but a deliberate object lesson, highlighting humanity’s continuous need for cleansing and pointing forward to the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of the Messiah.

The finality expressed by ἅπαξ also testifies to the completeness of God’s revelation in Messiah. The faith has been “once for all delivered to the saints,” indicating both the sufficiency and permanence of apostolic testimony to God’s redemptive work.

Personal Application

Understanding ἅπαξ challenges believers to rest fully in the completed work of Messiah. We no longer need to strive for acceptance through repeated religious acts – Yeshua’s once-for-all sacrifice has achieved eternal redemption for those who trust in Him.

This truth invites us to live in the confidence of God’s finished work while maintaining a proper sense of awe at the magnitude of what was accomplished at Calvary. The singularity and finality of Messiah’s sacrifice remind us that nothing needs to be added to His perfect work.

Related Words

• εἰσάπαξ (eisapax) – “once for all time” with emphasis on definitiveness. Often used in sacrificial contexts. Pronunciation: ice-ap’-ax See G2178
• καθάπαξ (kathapax) – “entirely, once for all” suggesting complete finality. Pronunciation: kath-ap’-ax See G2178
• πολλάκις (pollakis) – “many times, often” – used as an antithesis to ἅπαξ. Pronunciation: pol-lak’-is See G4178
• μονογενής (monogenes) – “only, unique, one of a kind” sharing the concept of singularity. Pronunciation: mon-og-en-ace See G3439

Did you Know?

• The concept of ἅπαξ in sacrificial contexts revolutionized early Jewish believers’ understanding of atonement, helping them transition from the repeated sacrifices of the Temple to trust in Messiah’s once-for-all offering.
• Modern Greek still uses ἅπαξ in legal terminology to indicate irrevocable decisions, preserving its ancient connotation of finality and permanence.
• The theological use of ἅπαξ in Hebrews provides one of the strongest arguments for the superiority of the New Covenant over the Old, demonstrating how a single Greek word can carry profound theological significance.

Remember This

ἅπαξ declares the magnificent sufficiency of Messiah’s sacrifice – one perfect offering achieving eternal redemption for all who believe.