← G3371 G3373 →

μῆκος

mēkos

G3372 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Length; the measure of something from end to end or along its longest dimension. Primarily denotes the extent of distance in the direction of greatest span. In contextual usage, may also refer metaphorically to duration or extent, though this sense is rare in Koine Greek.

Semantic Range

length, spatial extent, measurement along the longest dimension, occasionally duration or extent (figurative)

Root / Etymology

μῆκος is etymologically related to the root μεγ- (as in μέγας, 'great, large'), possibly derived from an earlier form meaning 'long' or 'great in length.' The precise morphological origin within Greek is uncertain, but it belongs to a family of terms expressing magnitude or dimension.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, μῆκος refers to 'length' in a physical or spatial sense, as opposed to πλάτος ('breadth, width') or βάθος ('depth'). In the Septuagint and New Testament, μῆκος consistently refers to the spatial length of an object, structure, or distance, often as part of measurements (e.g., the length of a building or area). There is occasional extension to the figurative sense of 'length' as duration or extent, but this is rare and context-dependent. English translations typically render it as 'length;' this aligns closely with its central Greek usage. The word's usage did not undergo significant semantic expansion in Koine; it remained a specific technical term, especially in contexts involving dimensions.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably akin to μέγας; length (literally or figuratively) length.

Root Family

μῆκος (mēkos) — length, extent, long measurement

Root μῆκ- to measure long, length, extent

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3372-01 μῆκος mekos N NOM N SG length length length 3

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3372-01 Ephesians 3:18 μῆκος mekos N NOM N SG length length length
G3372-01 Revelation 21:16 μῆκος mekos N NOM N SG length length length
G3372-01 Revelation 21:16 μῆκος mekos-2 N NOM N SG length length length
← G3371 Greek Lexicon G3373 →