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ἑσπέρα

hespéra

G2073 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Feminine noun denoting the period of the day toward sunset; the time of evening or dusk. In literary and documentary Greek, primarily signifies the latter part of the day, often marking the transition from day to night. In extended usage, can refer to an evening event, the approach of night, or, metonymically, imply the day's conclusion or the start of a new day beginning with the evening. In religious or ritual texts, especially in Israelite and Judean tradition, may designate the time for particular sacrifices, observances, or the beginning of the next day (reckoned sundown-to-sundown).

Semantic Range

evening, twilight, dusk, the period about sunset; the close of the day; the beginning of a new day (Jewish reckoning); time for evening sacrifices; event occurring at evening

Root / Etymology

From the root ἑσπέρ- (evening), related to ἕσπερος (evening star, west, evening), tracing to Indo-European roots for 'evening' or 'west.' Cognate with Latin 'vesper.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

Attested since Homeric Greek, ἑσπέρα is standard for 'evening' across classical, Hellenistic, and Koine periods. In the Septuagint, it frequently translates Hebrew עֶרֶב ('erev), the period around sunset marking the end of daylight and, in Israelite custom, the start of the next day. In the New Testament, ἑσπέρα designates various phases of evening—from late afternoon, approaching sunset, to the conclusion of daylight—depending on context (cf. Matt 8:16, Mark 1:32, when people bring the sick to Jesus "when evening came"). This term sets temporal boundaries for daily activities, ritual obligations (such as evening sacrifices), and narrative transitions. Standard English renderings as 'evening' are accurate but may miss connotations regarding ritual day-beginnings or ends in Jewish calendrical reckoning. The term is distinct from ἕσπερος, which can also mean 'western' or refer to the evening star.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of an adjective hesperos (evening); the eve (ὥρα being implied):--evening(-tide).

Root Family

ἑσπέρα (hespera) — evening, dusk, close of day

Root ἑσπέρ- evening, approaching sunset, end of the day

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2073-02 ἑσπέραν esperan N ACC F SG evening evening evening 1
G2073-01 ἑσπέρα espera N NOM F SG evening evening evening 1
G2073-03 ἑσπέρας esperas N GEN F SG evening of evening evening 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2073-02 Luke 24:29 ἑσπέραν esperan N ACC F SG evening evening evening
G2073-01 Acts 4:3 ἑσπέρα espera N NOM F SG evening evening evening
G2073-03 Acts 28:23 ἑσπέρας esperas N GEN F SG evening of evening evening
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