ὅτε

hóte

G3753 subordinating conjunction

SILEX Entry

Definition

Temporal conjunction introducing a point or period in time at which an event occurs; primarily 'when,' indicating the time at which something happens. By extension, may introduce clauses explaining circumstances under which an event takes place.

Semantic Range

when, at the time that, while, as soon as, after (in temporal sequence), whenever (rare, less indefinite than ὁπότε)

Root / Etymology

From ὅς ('who, which') and the enclitic τε (a connective meaning 'and, also'); the formation expresses a relative temporal relationship to an event or circumstance.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ὅτε is a common temporal conjunction in Koine Greek, frequently found in narrative and explanatory contexts to introduce subordinate clauses specifying the time of the main verb’s action. In Classical Greek, it is already well established, sometimes overlapping with ὁπότε (which is more indefinite). In Septuagint Greek, ὅτε often translates Hebrew conjunctions like כִּי (ki, 'when') or בְּ (bə-, when as in 'in the day that'), and in the New Testament it retains its temporal function, introducing episodes, conditions, and temporal connections between phrases. Standard English translations render it as 'when,' but it can also signal 'while,' 'as soon as,' or, in rare cases, 'after.' Its force is almost always temporal and rarely causal or explanatory. There is little semantic evolution from earlier to later Greek, though Koine usage typically prefers ὅτε over more elaborate or older forms in narrative prose.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ὅς and τέ; at which (thing) too, i.e. when:--after (that), as soon as, that, when, while.

Root Family

ὅτε (hote) — when, at the time that, as soon as

Root ὅτ- when, at the time that, as soon as

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3753-01 ὅτε ote CONJ.S when when when 103

Occurrences in Scripture

103 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3753-01 Matthew 7:28 ὅτε ote CONJ.S when when when
G3753-01 Matthew 9:25 ὅτε ote CONJ.S when when when
G3753-01 Matthew 11:1 ὅτε ote CONJ.S when when when
G3753-01 Matthew 12:3 ὅτε ote CONJ.S when when when
G3753-01 Matthew 13:26 ὅτε ote CONJ.S when when when
G3753-01 Matthew 13:48 ὅτε ote CONJ.S when when when
G3753-01 Matthew 13:53 ὅτε ote CONJ.S when when when
G3753-01 Matthew 19:1 ὅτε ote CONJ.S when when when
G3753-01 Matthew 21:1 ὅτε ote CONJ.S when when when
G3753-01 Matthew 21:34 ὅτε ote CONJ.S when when when