ἐκτενῶς
ektenōs
G1619 adverb
SILEX Entry
Definition
With persistent intensity, earnestly, in a manner characterized by stretching or straining effort; in contexts, describes an action carried out with wholehearted devotion, unwavering persistence, or fervor. The term nuances not only emotional heat but also the idea of resolute, sustained commitment, especially in prayer, love, or striving.
Semantic Range
earnestly, fervently, persistently, intensely, with extended effort, with unwavering devotion
Root / Etymology
Adverbial form from the adjective ἐκτενής (ektenēs), meaning 'stretched out, extended, earnest.' The adjective combines ἐκ (ek, 'out of') and the verbal root τείνω (teinō, 'to stretch'). Thus, ἐκτενῶς literally means 'out-stretched-ly'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, ἐκτενῶς most frequently modifies acts such as prayer (προσεύχομαι ἐκτενῶς) or love (ἀγαπᾶν ἐκτενῶς), denoting not only internal fervor but also an extended effort or persistence over time, rather than momentary passion. In the LXX, it is less common but carries a similar sense when used. In the New Testament, it appears notably in contexts urging sustained effort or devotion (e.g., 1 Peter 1:22; 4:8; Acts 12:5), describing a quality expected of the addressees. English translations typically render it as 'fervently' or 'earnestly', but the underlying metaphor (stretching oneself out) nuances the sense with the idea of determined continuity, which may be lost in translation. The term does not inherently imply public display but rather the depth or extent of inner commitment, and may contain a physical metaphor of exertion.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
adverb from ἐκτενής; intently:--fervently.
Root Family
τεν- (ektenōs) — to stretch, to extend, to exert
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G816 | ἀτενίζω | to gaze intently |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1619-01 |
ἐκτενῶς | ektenos | ADV |
fervently | with outstretched intensity | fervently | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1619-01 |
Acts 12:5 | ἐκτενῶς | ektenos | ADV |
fervently | with outstretched intensity | fervently |
G1619-01 |
1 Peter 1:22 | ἐκτενῶς | ektenos | ADV |
fervently | with outstretched intensity | fervently |