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ἐσχάτως

eschátōs

G2079 adverb

SILEX Entry

Definition

Adverb indicating 'at the very end,' 'in the last degree,' or 'finally.' Principally refers to something occurring in the utmost limit or at the point furthest along a sequence, whether of place, time, or degree. In medical or existential contexts (especially with verbs like 'to have'), may express being at the brink or extremity of life itself, i.e., 'at the point of death.'

Semantic Range

finally, at the extremity, at the furthest limit, in the last degree, at the point of death

Root / Etymology

From the superlative adjective ἔσχατος ('last, furthest, utmost, final'), with -ως forming the adverbial suffix meaning 'in the manner of the furthest/last.' Thus, ἐσχάτως means 'in the utmost/last manner.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Koine Greek, ἐσχάτως is relatively rare, appearing primarily in later or technical passages, notably in Luke 7:2 to describe someone 'extremely ill' or 'at the verge of death.' The term extends the meaning of ἔσχατος ('last'), focusing not on ordinality but on intensity or extremity. In classical Greek, similar adverbs would be used for 'in the utmost' or 'at the end,' but ἐσχάτως attests especially to Hellenistic and medical registers. Modern translations such as 'near death' or 'dying' reflect contextual interpretations rather than the word's literal adverbial sense of 'in the end' or 'to the last degree.' Its use may carry varying nuance depending on context: spatially (at the furthest edge), temporally (at the final moment), or in intensity (to the highest/lowest point).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

adverb from ἔσχατος; finally, i.e. (with ἔχω) at the extremity of life:--point of death.

Root Family

ἐσχάτως (eschatōs) — at the utmost end, in the last degree, at the furthest limit, finally

Root ἔσχατ- to be last, to be at the furthest degree or end

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2079-01 ἔσχατον eschaton ADV SUPL last at the utmost end at the utmost end 2
G2079-02 ἐσχάτως eschatos ADV SUPL at the point of death at the utmost end is at the point of death 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2079-02 Mark 5:23 ἐσχάτως eschatos ADV SUPL at the point of death at the utmost end is at the point of death
G2079-01 Mark 12:22 ἔσχατον eschaton ADV SUPL Last at the utmost end last
G2079-01 1 Corinthians 15:8 ἔσχατον eschaton ADV SUPL last at the utmost end at the utmost end
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