εὐθύς
euthýs
G2117 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Primarily, 'immediately' or 'at once,' denoting an action occurring without delay in the temporal sense. Also, 'straight,' in a spatial sense, meaning direct or level. In Koine Greek, most often functions adverbially to express promptness or immediacy of an event or action, but can also refer to something being straight or true in a physical or metaphorical sense.
Semantic Range
immediately, at once, straightway, forthwith (temporal); straight, direct (spatial); true, upright (metaphorical)
Root / Etymology
From the adjective εὐθύς (meaning 'straight'), which is likely formed from the prefix εὖ ('well') and a root related to τίθημι ('to place', though this connection is debated and the exact etymology is uncertain).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, εὐθύς functions both as an adjective and an adverb, generally meaning 'straight' (spatial), 'direct,' or 'immediately.' By the Hellenistic and Koine periods, particularly in the New Testament and Septuagint, the adverbial use dominates and the term primarily signals immediate action—'at once,' 'immediately,' or 'straightway.' This is especially prominent in Mark's Gospel, where it's used to mark the rapid succession of narrative events. Standard English translations sometimes render εὐθύς as 'immediately,' 'at once,' or 'straightway,' but may miss the narrative urgency that the word conveys in Greek. In the Septuagint, the spatial sense ('straight') is also present, often translating Hebrew terms like יָשָׁר (yāšār, 'straight, upright'). The metaphorical extension from 'straight' (physical) to 'immediate' (temporal) reflects a natural semantic development from direction to promptness.
Translation Consistency
εὐθύς most often functions adverbially in Koine to denote promptness or action without delay. "Immediately" is the most natural, commonly used English equivalent for that temporal sense and will read smoothly across contexts. While it can also mean "straight" or "direct," those senses are less frequent; choosing "immediately" captures the typical usage and preserves natural English rendering for consistent translation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
perhaps from εὖ and τίθημι; straight, i.e. (literally) level, or (figuratively) true; adverbially (of time) at once:--anon, by and by, forthwith, immediately, straightway.
Root Family
εὐθύ- (euthéōs) — straight, direct, prompt
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2117-03 |
εὐθείας | eutheias | ADJ.S ACC F PL |
straight | straight ones | straight | 4 |
G2117-02 |
εὐθείαν | eutheian | ADJ.S ACC F SG |
straight | a straight way | a straight way | 3 |
G2117-01 |
εὐθεῖα | eutheia | ADJ.P NOM F SG |
right | straight | straight | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
8 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2117-03 |
Matthew 3:3 | εὐθείας | eutheias | ADJ.S ACC F PL |
straight | straight ones | straight |
G2117-03 |
Mark 1:3 | εὐθείας | eutheias | ADJ.S ACC F PL |
straight | straight ones | straight |
G2117-03 |
Luke 3:4 | εὐθείας | eutheias | ADJ.S ACC F PL |
straight | straight ones | straight |
G2117-02 |
Luke 3:5 | εὐθείαν | eutheian | ADJ.S ACC F SG |
straight | a straight way | a straight way |
G2117-01 |
Acts 8:21 | εὐθεῖα | eutheia | ADJ.P NOM F SG |
right | straight | straight |
G2117-02 |
Acts 9:11 | Εὐθεῖαν | eutheian | ADJ.P ACC F SG |
Straight | a straight way | Straight |
G2117-03 |
Acts 13:10 | εὐθείας | eutheias | ADJ.S ACC F PL |
straight | straight ones | straight ways |
G2117-02 |
2 Peter 2:15 | εὐθεῖαν | eutheian | ADJ.A ACC F SG |
the straight | a straight way | a straight way |