πόῤῥωθεν
pórrhōthen
G4207 adverb
SILEX Entry
Definition
At or from a far distance; indicates spatial or metaphorical remoteness. Used primarily as an adverb, it marks something as being located far away, either physically (in space) or less commonly, figuratively (in degree, relationship, or relevance). The core sense is 'from a distance' or 'at a great distance.'
Semantic Range
from afar, from a distance, far off, at a great distance, distantly (spatial), sometimes metaphorically remote
Root / Etymology
Derived from the adverb πόρρω (far, at a distance), with the suffix -θεν (denoting source or origin, 'from'). The form πόῤῥωθεν combines these to mean 'from far away.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, πόῤῥωθεν is used idiomatically to denote physical separation between persons or places, or to highlight the distance from which something comes. The term appears in Septuagint and New Testament Greek with similar spatial meaning, often describing people or things coming from far away, or situated afar (e.g., Hebrews 11:13, Mark 8:3). Less frequently, it may be used in a metaphorical sense, like mental or relational distance, though this is rare in biblical usage. English translations generally render it as 'from afar,' 'from a distance,' or 'far off,' which adequately captures its typical nuances. The morphological construction with the ablative suffix -θεν clearly signals origination or movement from a distant place. Contrast with closely related adverbs such as μακρόθεν or ἄπο μακρόθεν, which may imply similar but contextually distinct types of spatial separation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from πόῤῥω with adverbial enclitic of source; from far, or (by implication) at a distance, i.e. distantly:--afar off.
Root Family
πόῤῥωθεν (pórrhōthen) — to be far, to be distant, to be remote
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4207-01 |
πόρρωθεν | porrothen | ADV |
afar off | from far away | from afar | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4207-01 |
Luke 17:12 | πόρρωθεν | porrothen | ADV |
afar off | from far away | from afar |
G4207-01 |
Hebrews 11:13 | πόρρωθεν | porrothen | ADV |
from a distance | from far away | from far away |