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ἡνίκα

hēníka

G2259 subordinating conjunction

SILEX Entry

Definition

Temporal conjunction meaning 'at the time when,' indicating the point or period at which an action occurs. Used to introduce adverbial clauses specifying the time at which a main action takes place. The sense is closely linked to situational timing, often marking a specific moment or occasion rather than a general temporal relationship. Less commonly, it may introduce conditional or correlative temporal clauses ('whenever').

Semantic Range

when, at the time when, whenever (less commonly), in the moment in which, at which time

Root / Etymology

Formed from the adverbial particle ἡνίκα, likely a compound of ἣν (feminine accusative singular of the relative pronoun ὅς, ἥ, ὅ) and a temporal suffix -ίκα, which is related to the formation of temporal adverbs but the exact origin is uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ἡνίκα is an adverbial temporal conjunction found predominantly in later Greek, particularly in Hellenistic and Koine periods, including the Septuagint and New Testament. Its use is rare or absent in classical Attic; the word appears more frequently in biblical Greek where it translates Hebrew temporal constructions such as בְּיּוֹם אֲשֶׁר ('in the day when') or בְּעֵת. In the LXX, it frequently marks pivotal or climactic narrative moments, whereas in the New Testament, it is rare but can be found in quotations or allusions to scriptural texts. English Bible translations often render ἡνίκα as 'when' or 'at the time when,' but this can mask its occasional role as a marker of a decisive or notable moment. It is less general than more common temporal conjunctions like ὅτε or ὅταν, often reserved for literary, formal, or scriptural contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain affinity; at which time:--when.

Root Family

ἀδείλων, possibly ἡν- (hēníka) — at the time when, when (temporal conjunction)

Root ἀδείλων, possibly ἡν- at the time when, when (temporal conjunction)

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2259-01 ἡνίκα enika CONJ.S whenever at the time when at the time when 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2259-01 2 Corinthians 3:15 ἡνίκα enika CONJ.S whenever at the time when whenever
G2259-01 2 Corinthians 3:16 ἡνίκα enika CONJ.S whenever at the time when at the time when
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