ἑκατόν

one hundred

Definition

The Greek word ἑκατόν (ekaton) is a cardinal number meaning 'one hundred'. It is used literally to denote the specific quantity of one hundred, such as in the Parable of the Sower where seed yields 'a hundredfold' (Matthew 13:8, Mark 4:8). It can also function as a round number to signify a large, complete, or symbolic quantity, as seen in the Parable of the Lost Sheep where the shepherd has one hundred sheep (Matthew 18:12, Luke 15:4). In financial contexts, like the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, it quantifies a massive debt of 'ten thousand talents' (literally 'a hundred hundred' talents, Matthew 18:24).

Biblical Usage

ἑκατόν appears 16 times in the New Testament, primarily in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke). Its usage is almost exclusively literal, quantifying items like measures of grain, groups of people, or amounts of money. A key pattern is its frequent appearance in Jesus's agricultural parables (e.g., Matthew 13:8, 23; Mark 4:8, 20) to illustrate exceptional fruitfulness or completeness. It is also used in narratives to organize groups, such as arranging people in companies of 'hundreds' (Mark 6:40).

Etymology

Derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *ḱm̥tóm, which is the source for the word 'hundred' in many languages (e.g., Latin 'centum'). The Greek form ἑκατόν is a primary numeral and does not derive from the preposition ἐκ (ek, 'out of') as sometimes suggested in older sources; that is a folk etymology. It is a cognate with the Hebrew מֵאָה (me'ah, H3967).

Semantic Range

While a simple number, ἑκατόn carries theological weight in Jesus's parables, where it symbolizes the superabundant, complete, and perfect yield of God's word in a receptive heart (Matthew 13:23). The 'hundredfold' represents God's extravagant blessing and the ultimate fruitfulness of a life aligned with His kingdom. In the Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:4), the 'hundred' sheep represent the complete flock under God's care, heightening the value of the one that is lost and found.

In the ancient agrarian society, a 'hundredfold' yield (Matthew 13:8) was considered an exceptionally abundant harvest, symbolizing ideal fertility and divine blessing. The number one hundred also functioned as a common round number for a large, complete set (like a full flock of sheep) or an overwhelming amount (like an unpayable debt in Matthew 18:24, 28). This differs from a modern, purely precise mathematical understanding.

χίλιοι (chilioi, G5507) — means 'one thousand', a larger round number for a multitude. μυριάς (myrias, G3461) — means 'ten thousand' or an innumerable multitude, often used for vast numbers.

Word Details

Scripture References