ἄκρον
ákron
G206 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
The furthest point or edge, the outermost part; refers to the highest, uppermost, or most prominent extremity or point of something. The term may refer specifically to the top, point, summit, peak, edge, or outermost limit spatially or abstractly. Contextually, it can denote the extreme end of a land, an object (such as the tip of a finger), or an abstract maximum point (e.g., the height of something).
Semantic Range
peak, summit, tip, top, highest point, outermost edge, extremity, prominent point, furthest limit, acme
Root / Etymology
From the Greek root ἀκρ- (akr-), meaning 'sharp, pointed, at the end' or 'extreme.' It is related to ἄκρος (akros, 'topmost, at the edge, high, extreme'). Akin to the root of ἀκμή (akmē, 'point, peak, prime').
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἄκρον appears in both classical and Koine Greek with the sense of 'peak, summit, highest or outermost point.' In Homer and early classical texts, ἄκρον is used for the top of a mountain, headland, tip of an object, or furthest point of a territory. In the Septuagint and New Testament, it retains the primary spatial sense, e.g., the 'top' or 'summit' (Matthew 4:8). While the English word 'end' or 'tip' is often used in translation, ἄκρον can also mean 'summit' or 'extremity.' Unlike ἄκρος (adjective, 'extreme, topmost'), ἄκρον as a noun refers specifically to the furthest point or edge. The sense can be literal (geographic features, body parts, objects) or, less commonly, metaphorical (culmination or acme of an event). The English tradition of using 'uttermost' or 'tip' in translation narrows the Greek sense, which can also include prominence and height, not just distance.
Translation Consistency
“Edge” is a natural, versatile English noun that covers the outermost part or limit, the tip or extremity, and can be used for prominent or marginal points (e.g., edge of a hill, edge of a land, the extremity of a limb). It reads naturally in a wide range of biblical contexts and keeps a consistent, simple rendering across all forms. Other options (top, tip, extremity) felt either too narrow or too formal.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
neuter of an adjective probably akin to the base of ἀκμήν; the extremity:--one end… other, tip, top, uttermost participle
Root Family
ἄκρον (akron) — sharp point, peak, top, outermost edge, extremity
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G206-01 |
ἄκρων | akron | N GEN N PL |
ends | of the extremities | of the edges | 4 |
G206-02 |
ἄκρου | akrou | N GEN N SG |
the uttermost part | of the outermost edge | the outermost edge | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G206-01 |
Matthew 24:31 | ἄκρων | akron | N GEN N PL |
ends | of the extremities | of the edges |
G206-01 |
Matthew 24:31 | ἄκρων | akron-2 | N GEN N PL |
the other | of the extremities | of the edges |
G206-02 |
Mark 13:27 | ἄκρου | akrou | N GEN N SG |
the uttermost part | of the outermost edge | the outermost edge |
G206-02 |
Mark 13:27 | ἄκρου | akrou-2 | N GEN N SG |
the uttermost part | of the outermost edge | the outermost edge |
G206-01 |
Luke 16:24 | ἄκρον | akron | N ACC N SG |
tip | of the extremities | tip |
G206-01 |
Hebrews 11:21 | ἄκρον | akron | N ACC N SG |
top | of the extremities | tip |