τυγχάνω (G5177) — Greek Lexicon

τυγχάνω

tynchánō

G5177 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To happen, occur, come about (of events or circumstances); to reach, attain, obtain (a goal, object, or condition); to meet with, encounter, experience (something or someone, often by chance). The verb primarily denotes the sense of reaching or achieving something, or the experience of something occurring, often with the nuance of chance or unintended result. In impersonal constructions or participles, it can mean 'perhaps,' 'by chance,' or 'of ordinary occurrence.'

Semantic Range

to happen, come about, to occur, to meet with by chance, to obtain or reach, to experience, to befall, to be (in certain idiomatic expressions), perhaps, by chance, actually, indeed

Root / Etymology

From the Greek root τυγχάνω, with unclear exact etymology. Possibly related to the root τυχ- (uncertain), classically connected to the idea of encountering or happening upon. Some lexicographers connect it to τίκτω ('to bring forth'), but this is debated and not certain. Etymology remains uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, τυγχάνω primarily means 'to hit the mark,' 'to obtain,' or 'to meet with by chance.' Over time, its semantic range broadened to include simply 'to be,' 'to happen,' or 'to be present' in certain idiomatic expressions, especially with participles (e.g., τυγχάνω ὤν – 'to happen to be,' i.e., 'to be in fact'). In Koine Greek, especially in the New Testament and the Septuagint, the sense of 'happening,' 'obtaining,' or 'experiencing' continues, often with an implication of chance or circumstances beyond one's control. The participle + main verb structure (τυγχάνω + participle) is a common idiom expressing that something is true or real in fact, sometimes rendered as 'actually,' 'indeed,' or 'just now.' English translations often render τυγχάνω as 'to obtain,' 'to happen,' 'to meet with,' but such renderings may underserve the element of chance or contingency embedded in the Greek. There is no direct connection with τύπτω ('to strike, beat'), despite the surface similarity; their bases and semantic development differ. In the Septuagint, it sometimes translates Hebrew terms for encountering or finding; in the New Testament, its use is often idiomatic, reflecting Hellenistic usage.

Translation Consistency

primary "happen" 2 occurrences

The primary and most natural sense of τυγχάνω in Greek is to occur or come about, often with the nuance of chance (e.g., 'happen to meet', 'it happens that'). "Happen" covers occurrences, chance encounters, and befalling well in everyday English and can be extended in context to idioms like 'happen upon/obtain.' It is more natural and typical for translation across diverse contexts than more formal alternatives like 'obtain' or 'attain.'

Alternatives (10 occurrences):

"obtain" (2x) "ordinary" (2x) "enjoying" (1x) "having obtained" (1x) "receive" (1x) "perhaps" (1x) "obtained" (1x) "might obtain" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably for an obsolete (for which the middle voice of another alternate (to make ready or bring to pass) is used in certain tenses; akin to the base of τίκτω through the idea of effecting; properly, to affect; or (specially), to hit or light upon (as a mark to be reached), i.e. (transitively) to attain or secure an object or end, or (intransitively) to happen (as if meeting with); but in the latter application only impersonal (with εἰ), i.e. perchance; or (present participle) as adjective, usual (as if commonly met with, with οὐ, extraordinary), neuter (as adverb) perhaps; or (with another verb) as adverb, by accident (as it were):--be, chance, enjoy, little, obtain, X refresh…self, + special. Compare τύπτω.

Root Family

τυχ- (tynchánō) — to happen, to meet with, to obtain

Root τυχ- to happen, to meet with, to obtain

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
G5190	Τυχικός	Tychikos

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G5177-02`	τυχεῖν	tuchein	`V AOR ACT INF`	to obtain	to happen upon	to obtain	2
`G5177-03`	τύχοι	tuchoi	`V AOR ACT OPT 3P SG`	it happens	might happen	might happen	2
`G5177-04`	τυχὼν	tuchon	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	having obtained	having met with	having obtained	2
`G5177-05`	τύχωσιν	tuchosin	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL`	may obtain	they might obtain	may obtain	2
`G5177-01`	τέτυχεν	tetuchen	`V PRF ACT IND 3P SG`	has obtained	has obtained	has obtained	1
`G5177-06`	τυχοῦσαν	tuchousan	`V AOR ACT PTCP ACC F SG`	ordinary	having encountered	ordinary	1
`G5177-07`	τυχούσας	tuchousas	`V AOR ACT PTCP ACC F PL`	ordinary	encountering	ordinary	1
`G5177-08`	τυγχάνοντες	tugchanontes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	we enjoy	those encountering	enjoying	1

Occurrences in Scripture

12 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G5177-02`	Luke 20:35	τυχεῖν	tuchein	`V AOR ACT INF`	to obtain	to happen upon	to obtain
`G5177-07`	Acts 19:11	τυχούσας	tuchousas	`V AOR ACT PTCP ACC F PL`	ordinary	encountering	ordinary
`G5177-08`	Acts 24:2	τυγχάνοντες	tugchanontes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	we enjoy	those encountering	enjoying
`G5177-04`	Acts 26:22	τυχὼν	tuchon	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	having obtained	having met with	having obtained
`G5177-02`	Acts 27:3	τυχεῖν	tuchein	`V AOR ACT INF`	to receive	to happen upon	to receive
`G5177-06`	Acts 28:2	τυχοῦσαν	tuchousan	`V AOR ACT PTCP ACC F SG`	ordinary	having encountered	ordinary
`G5177-03`	1 Corinthians 14:10	τύχοι	tuchoi	`V AOR ACT OPT 3P SG`	it may be	might happen	might happen
`G5177-03`	1 Corinthians 15:37	τύχοι	tuchoi	`V AOR ACT OPT 3P SG`	it happens	might happen	might happen
`G5177-04`	1 Corinthians 16:6	τυχὸν	tuchon	`V AOR ACT PTCP ACC N SG`	perhaps	having met with	perhaps
`G5177-05`	2 Timothy 2:10	τύχωσιν	tuchosin	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL`	may obtain	they might obtain	may obtain
`G5177-01`	Hebrews 8:6	τέτυχεν	tetuchen	`V PRF ACT IND 3P SG`	has obtained	has obtained	has obtained
`G5177-05`	Hebrews 11:35	τύχωσιν	tuchosin	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL`	they might obtain	they might obtain	they might obtain

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