ἐνδέχεται

endéchetai

G1735 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

It is possible, admissible, permitted, or allowed; occurs impersonally in the third person singular, often expressing the sense 'it can be the case,' 'it is possible (for something to happen),' or 'it is permissible.' Used to indicate that a particular circumstance, action, or event is logically, factually, or pragmatically possible or allowable. Semantic range includes what is feasible, allowable, or admissible in a given context.

Semantic Range

it is possible, it can be, it is admissible, it is allowable, it can happen, it may be permitted

Root / Etymology

From the preposition ἐν (in) and the verb δέχομαι (to receive, accept, welcome). This compound construction signifies 'it is capable of being received (in),' thus developing into a technical impersonal form meaning 'it is possible' or 'admissible.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The verb ἐνδέχεται is used exclusively in impersonal constructions in Koine Greek, typically in the third person singular (ἐνδέχεται), making statements about possibility or admissibility rather than describing someone receiving or accepting something (as with its root verb, δέχομαι). In philosophical and rhetorical literature, especially from the Hellenistic and later periods, it expresses logical, practical, or legal possibility (e.g., 'it is possible,' 'it can be the case'). In the New Testament and other early Christian literature, it is rare and usually maintains this sense, though it is not a common verb. Standard English translations often use 'it is possible' or 'can be,' but this may under-represent nuances of admissibility, permissibility, or logical possibility embedded in the Greek usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

third person singular present of a compound of ἐν and δέχομαι; (impersonally) it is accepted in, i.e. admitted (possible):--can (+ not) be.

Root Family

ἐνδέχεται (endéchetai) — to be possible, to be admissible, to be allowable

Root ἐνδεχ- to be possible, to be admissible, to be allowable

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1735-01 ἐνδέχεται endechetai V PRS MID IND 3P SG it is possible it is possible it is possible 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1735-01 Luke 13:33 ἐνδέχεται endechetai V PRS MID IND 3P SG it is possible it is possible it is possible