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ὀκτώ

oktṓ

G3638 determiner

SILEX Entry

Definition

The cardinal number 'eight'; denoting a quantity of eight items or persons. In broader contexts, denotes anything that is counted in groups of eight, such as days, units, or entities, and may also designate the eighth in a series (with appropriate grammatical forms). Rarely, may function as an ordinal or symbolic number in certain literary or ritual contexts (e.g., the 'eighth day').

Semantic Range

the number eight, a group of eight, the eighth item (in specific grammatical forms), eightfold, eight days, eight persons

Root / Etymology

Greek root ὀκτώ is part of the Proto-Indo-European numerical system (cf. PIE *oḱtṓ(u)), directly inherited into Greek as the primary word for 'eight.' Cognate with Latin octo, Sanskrit aṣṭa, Old English eahta. Not derived from another Greek word; it is a basic numeral.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ὀκτώ is the standard Greek word for the number eight, found throughout classical, Hellenistic, and Koine sources. Its function is nearly always numerical, designating eight objects, periods, or persons. Occasionally occurs in idiomatic or symbolic expressions (e.g., reference to the 'eighth day' in ritual or calendrical contexts, which could bear specific cultural significance but is fundamentally a literal number). English translations render ὀκτώ as 'eight' without loss of meaning, as its semantic field is unambiguous. Unlike some numbers, ὀκτώ does not acquire specialized figurative meanings and is not used as an honorific or euphemistic term. No significant semantic evolution between classical, Septuagint, or New Testament contexts; usage is stable. Related ordinal form is ὄγδοος ('eighth').

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primary numeral; "eight":--eight.

Root Family

ὀκτω- (oktṓ) — eight, to count as eight

Root ὀκτω- eight, to count as eight

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3638-01 ὀκτὼ okto DET NOM F PL eight eight eight 8

Occurrences in Scripture

8 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3638-01 Luke 2:21 ὀκτὼ okto DET NOM F PL eight eight eight
G3638-01 Luke 9:28 ὀκτὼ okto DET NOM F PL eight eight eight
G3638-01 Luke 13:16 ὀκτὼ okto DET ACC N PL eight eight eight
G3638-01 John 5:5 ὀκτὼ okto DET ACC N PL eight eight eight
G3638-01 John 20:26 ὀκτὼ okto DET ACC F PL eight eight eight
G3638-01 Acts 9:33 ὀκτὼ okto DET GEN N PL eight eight eight
G3638-01 Acts 25:6 ὀκτὼ okto DET GEN F PL eight eight eight
G3638-01 1 Peter 3:20 ὀκτὼ okto DET NOM F PL eight eight eight
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