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ἐκεῖ

ekeî

G1563 adverb

SILEX Entry

Definition

An adverb denoting location at or in a particular place distinct from the speaker or writer ('there'); also, by natural extension, indicating movement toward or into that place ('thither'). The word primarily points to a place away from the immediate context, distinguishing it from 'here.' In narrative or reported speech, it can serve to refer to a previously specified or contextually understood location.

Semantic Range

in that place, at that place, over there, to that place (thither), at yonder place, there (in narrative reference), figuratively: state or condition as 'there'

Root / Etymology

Likely formed from the pronominal stem ἐκε- (as in ἐκεῖνος, 'that one, that person over there'), with the locative adverbial ending -ῖ. The term is comparable to Latin 'ibi' and English 'there,' marking location, but specific ancient derivation is not strictly traceable; thus, etymology uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ἐκεῖ occurs widely in classical, Hellenistic, Septuagintal, and New Testament Greek as the primary adverb for designating a location away from the speaker ('there'). In classical Greek, it could distinguish between various degrees of remoteness alongside adverbs like αὐτοῦ ('in the very place'), ἐνταῦθα ('here'), and ἐναγχι ('nearby'). In the Septuagint, ἐκεῖ is frequently used to translate Hebrew שָׁם (sham, 'there'), maintaining the basic spatial sense. In the New Testament, ἐκεῖ marks a physical or metaphorical place away from the current context, often signifying narrative movement ('he went there') or marking a site of action ('there they found him'). It is contextually contrasted with ἐνταῦθα ('here, in this place'). English translations typically render it as 'there,' but the distinction from 'here' or more precise Greek spatial adverbs is often flattened in translation. There is no inherent theological or ideological nuance carried by the term; it is purely spatial or referential.

Translation Consistency

primary "there" 96 occurrences

ἐκεῖ is an adverb of place meaning ‘at/into that place’ and the natural, contemporary English equivalent is “there.” It covers both locative and directional senses (the directional sense is usually handled by the main verb plus “there,” e.g. “go there”) and fits the common, narrative, and figurative uses. ‘There’ is simple, natural, and matches the typical usage across the attested occurrences.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain affinity; there; by extension, thither:--there, thither(-ward), (to) yonder (place).

Root Family

ἐκεῖ (ekei) — that place, there, to that place

Root ἐκε- that place, there, to that place
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G2240 ἥκω there

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1563-01 ἐκεῖ ekei ADV there there there 96

Occurrences in Scripture

96 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1563-01 Matthew 2:13 ἐκεῖ ekei ADV there there there
G1563-01 Matthew 2:15 ἐκεῖ ekei ADV there there there
G1563-01 Matthew 2:22 ἐκεῖ ekei ADV there there there
G1563-01 Matthew 5:24 ἐκεῖ ekei ADV there there there
G1563-01 Matthew 6:21 ἐκεῖ ekei ADV there there there
G1563-01 Matthew 8:12 ἐκεῖ ekei ADV there there there
G1563-01 Matthew 12:45 ἐκεῖ ekei ADV there there there
G1563-01 Matthew 13:42 ἐκεῖ ekei ADV there there there
G1563-01 Matthew 13:50 ἐκεῖ ekei ADV there there there
G1563-01 Matthew 13:58 ἐκεῖ ekei ADV there there there
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