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νύξ

nýx

G3571 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

The period of darkness between sunset and sunrise, 'night', used of the literal night as well as metaphorically for a time of danger, ignorance, secrecy, or moral darkness. In most contexts, refers to the natural division of time, but can also signify periods characterized by obscurity, fear, or the unknown.

Semantic Range

night (time between sunset and sunrise), period of darkness, time of sleep or rest, period of secrecy or obscurity, symbolic of adversity or ignorance, portion/quarter of the night (as in night watches)

Root / Etymology

From the Greek root νυκ- (nyk-) relating to 'night'. Cognate with Latin 'nox', Sanskrit 'naktam', demonstrating Indo-European origin. Not derived from another Greek word, but a primary noun in the language.

Historical & Contextual Notes

νύξ is common in classical, Hellenistic, and Koine Greek to indicate the nighttime period, carried over consistently into the Septuagint and New Testament. In the New Testament, 'night' can denote both literal night (the hours after sundown) and symbolically represent times of trial, secrecy, adversity, or absence of enlightenment (e.g., John 9:4, Romans 13:12). Figurative uses parallel classical Greek, where 'night' can mean blindness, sleep, or ignorance. English translations typically render νύξ as 'night', but may miss metaphorical or idiomatic meanings when the term functions as a symbol of ignorance or evil. In Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts, night often delineated the time for sleep, watchfulness (see divisions of the night for keeping watch), and ritual or legal periods. The word underwent little semantic shift but absorbed greater metaphorical layering in later literature. Disambiguate from ἡμέρα (day), with which it forms conceptual pairs (day and night cycles, moral dualities).

Translation Consistency

primary "night" 61 occurrences

νύξ is most naturally and commonly rendered as “night” (the period of darkness between sunset and sunrise). This matches the majority of occurrences and covers literal, temporal, and metaphorical senses (period of darkness, watches of the night, times of secrecy or danger). “Night” is the most natural, concise English headword; plural and idiomatic uses can be formed by regular inflection (nights, night’s, of the night, etc.).

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primary word; "night" (literally or figuratively):-- (mid-)night.

Root Family

νύξ (nyx) — night, darkness

Root νυκ- night, darkness

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3571-04 νυκτὸς nuktos N GEN F SG night of night of night 33
G3571-03 νυκτὶ nukti N DAT F SG night in night night 13
G3571-05 νὺξ nux N NOM F SG night night night 7
G3571-01 νύκτα nukta N ACC F SG night night night 4
G3571-02 νύκτας nuktas N ACC F PL nights nights nights 4

Occurrences in Scripture

61 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3571-04 Matthew 2:14 νυκτὸς nuktos N GEN F SG by night of night by night
G3571-02 Matthew 4:2 νύκτας nuktas N ACC F PL nights nights nights
G3571-02 Matthew 12:40 νύκτας nuktas N ACC F PL nights nights nights
G3571-02 Matthew 12:40 νύκτας nuktas-2 N ACC F PL nights nights nights
G3571-04 Matthew 14:25 νυκτὸς nuktos N GEN F SG night of night of night
G3571-04 Matthew 25:6 νυκτὸς nuktos N GEN F SG of the night of night of night
G3571-03 Matthew 26:31 νυκτὶ nukti N DAT F SG night in night night
G3571-03 Matthew 26:34 νυκτὶ nukti N DAT F SG night in night night
G3571-04 Matthew 28:13 νυκτὸς nuktos N GEN F SG by night of night of night
G3571-01 Mark 4:27 νύκτα nukta N ACC F SG night night night
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