ὀκταήμερος
oktaḗmeros
G3637 predicate adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
An adjective describing something or someone pertaining to an eight-day period, specifically 'of eight days' or 'the eighth day'; used to specify things occurring on the eighth day, or persons/things eight days old, most notably in religious or ceremonial contexts (e.g., circumcision on the eighth day).
Semantic Range
of eight days, occurring on the eighth day, eight days old, relating to the eighth day
Root / Etymology
Formed from the compound of ὀκτώ ('eight') and ἡμέρα ('day').
Historical & Contextual Notes
ὀκταήμερος is not commonly found in classical Greek literature, with its primary attestations in Jewish and early Christian texts referring to the period of eight days, particularly with reference to the scriptural command of circumcision for male infants on the eighth day (cf. Genesis 17:12, Leviticus 12:3; Luke 1:59, Philippians 3:5). The term is often used adjectivally to describe persons or things that are eight days old or acts/events that occur on the eighth day following a birth or festival. Later Christian tradition also references the 'eighth day' as symbolic of newness or renewal beyond the weekly cycle, but in the New Testament and Septuagint the sense remains concrete and temporal. Standard English translations often use 'eight days old' or 'the eighth day,' but may underrepresent the specifically adjectival, temporal nuance of the Greek. Related adjectives, e.g., ἑπτὰ ἡμέρας ('seven days'), are used for analogous periods but lack the specific ritual association of the 'eighth day.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ὀκτώ and ἡμέρα; an eight-day old person or act:--the eighth day.
Root Family
ἡμερ-, ὀκτα- (oktaḗmeros) — day (time period), eight
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3637-01 |
ὀκταήμερος | oktaemeros | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
on the eighth day | eight-day-old | eight-day-old | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3637-01 |
Philippians 3:5 | ὀκταήμερος | oktaemeros | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
on the eighth day | eight-day-old | eight-day-old |