ἐκεῖθεν
ekeîthen
G1564 adverb
SILEX Entry
Definition
Adverb of place indicating motion away from a particular location: 'from there,' 'from that place.' Used to specify origin, departure point, or source, either literally (from a physical location) or figuratively (from a state, condition, or context). Can introduce narrative transition, movement, or the source of an action.
Semantic Range
from that place, from there, thence (archaic), away from there, from that circumstance or condition (figuratively)
Root / Etymology
Adverb formed from ἐκεῖ ('there, in that place') with the suffix -θεν, which forms adverbs indicating origin or direction from a place. Cognate with other directional adverbs such as ἄνωθεν ('from above').
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ἐκεῖθεν appears in prose and narrative literature to denote motion away from a previously mentioned location. In the Septuagint and New Testament, its usage generally follows the same spatial logic—frequently appearing to indicate Jesus or others departing from a place (e.g., Matthew 12:9, 'He departed from there'). It may occasionally have a more metaphorical sense, indicating transition from a condition or situation. English translations ('from there,' 'thence') generally capture the semantic range, though 'thence' is now archaic. There is no significant shift in meaning between the Septuagint, New Testament, or wider Koine literature.
Translation Consistency
ἐκεῖθεν specifically marks origin or motion away — literally ‘from that place’ or figuratively ‘from that condition.’ “From there” is the most natural, transparent English rendering that preserves the directional/Source sense in both literal and figurative contexts and matches the dominant P2 usage better than the bare locative “there.”
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐκεῖ; thence:--from that place, (from) thence, there.
Root Family
ἐκεῖθεν (ekeithen) — from there, from that place, away from there
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1564-01 |
ἐκεῖθεν | ekeithen | ADV |
from there | from there | from there | 27 |
Occurrences in Scripture
27 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1564-01 |
Matthew 4:21 | ἐκεῖθεν | ekeithen | ADV |
from there | from there | from there |
G1564-01 |
Matthew 5:26 | ἐκεῖθεν | ekeithen | ADV |
from there | from there | from there |
G1564-01 |
Matthew 9:9 | ἐκεῖθεν | ekeithen | ADV |
from there | from there | from there |
G1564-01 |
Matthew 9:27 | ἐκεῖθεν | ekeithen | ADV |
thence | from there | from there |
G1564-01 |
Matthew 11:1 | ἐκεῖθεν | ekeithen | ADV |
from there | from there | from there |
G1564-01 |
Matthew 12:9 | ἐκεῖθεν | ekeithen | ADV |
from there | from there | from there |
G1564-01 |
Matthew 12:15 | ἐκεῖθεν | ekeithen | ADV |
from there | from there | from there |
G1564-01 |
Matthew 13:53 | ἐκεῖθεν | ekeithen | ADV |
from there | from there | from there |
G1564-01 |
Matthew 14:13 | ἐκεῖθεν | ekeithen | ADV |
from there | from there | from there |
G1564-01 |
Matthew 15:21 | ἐκεῖθεν | ekeithen | ADV |
from there | from there | from there |