ποτέ
poté
G4218 adverb
SILEX Entry
Definition
Indefinite temporal adverb: at some time, once, ever, at any point (past or future). Used to indicate an unspecified or indeterminate time when an action may or did occur. It can refer to a time in the past ('once, formerly'), or serve to generalize across time spans ('ever, at any time') depending on context. May also be used in rhetorical or hypothetical constructions ('if ever', 'should it happen that').
Semantic Range
at some (indefinite) time, ever (at any point in past or future), once (formerly), in time past, when (in indirect or indefinite questions), at any time (in questions or conditions), at length (finally, after some delay)
Root / Etymology
From interrogative ποῦ (where, whither) with the enclitic particle τε, forming an indefinite temporal adverb (literally, 'at some point') via the base form of ποῦ. The etymology links to a class of Greek indefinites created by combining interrogative bases with particles such as τε, δε, που, ποτε, etc.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ποτέ marks an indefinite or unspecified point in time and is flexible as to tense, but it most commonly refers to past time ('once', 'at one time'). In Koine (including the New Testament and the Septuagint), it maintains this function, but its range broadens to include hypothetical or emphatic expressions about the past or future ('if ever', 'at any time', 'once'). Not to be confused with πῶς (how) or ποῦ (where), nor with ποτέ as an emphatic negative (οὐδέποτε = 'never'). Traditional English translations ('ever', 'once', 'formerly', 'at any time') do not always distinguish the nuances of indefinite versus definite time reference. In rhetorical questions or conditions, ποτέ can suggest doubt or rarity ('has it ever...?'). Contrast μετά (after), πάλιν (again), which have more specific temporal values. First attested in classical prose and poetry, the adverb retains its function into Koine Greek without significant semantic shift.
Translation Consistency
ποτέ is an indefinite temporal adverb meaning ‘at any time,’ ‘once,’ or ‘formerly.’ ‘Ever’ is the most versatile, natural English rendering covering questions, conditions, and general/indefinite time references (e.g. ‘have you ever,’ ‘if ever,’ ‘ever since’). It therefore best preserves the typical usage across contexts while keeping a single consistent lexical choice.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the base of πού and τέ; indefinite adverb, at some time, ever:--afore-(any, some-)time(-s), at length (the last), (+ n- )ever, in the old time, in time past, once, when.
Root Family
ποτέ (poté) — ever, once, at some time, at any time
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4218-01 |
ποτε | pote | ADV |
once | at some time | at some time | 29 |
Occurrences in Scripture
29 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4218-01 |
Luke 22:32 | ποτε | pote | ADV |
once | at some time | at some time |
G4218-01 |
John 9:13 | ποτε | pote | ADV |
formerly | at some time | formerly |
G4218-01 |
Romans 1:10 | ποτὲ | pote | ADV |
at last | at some time | at some time |
G4218-01 |
Romans 7:9 | ποτέ | pote | ADV |
once | at some time | at some time |
G4218-01 |
Romans 11:30 | ποτε | pote | ADV |
once | at some time | once |
G4218-01 |
1 Corinthians 9:7 | ποτέ | pote | ADV |
ever | at some time | ever |
G4218-01 |
Galatians 1:13 | ποτε | pote | ADV |
formerly | at some time | formerly |
G4218-01 |
Galatians 1:23 | ποτε | pote | ADV |
once | at some time | once |
G4218-01 |
Galatians 1:23 | ποτε | pote-2 | ADV |
once | at some time | once |
G4218-01 |
Galatians 2:6 | ποτε | pote | ADV |
formerly | at some time | at some time |