ἐκεῖ

there, yonder, thither

Definition

The adverb ἐκεῖ primarily means 'there' or 'in that place,' indicating a specific location distinct from the speaker (e.g., Matthew 2:13, 'flee there'). It can also carry the sense of 'thither' or 'to that place,' denoting direction toward a location, as seen in Matthew 2:22. In some contexts, especially with verbs of being or happening, it simply identifies a scene or setting, such as the 'outer darkness' where there is 'weeping and gnashing of teeth' (Matthew 8:12).

Biblical Usage

ἐκεῖ is used 97 times across the New Testament, most frequently in the Gospels (especially Matthew) and Acts, often to specify a location in narrative. It commonly sets the scene for significant events (Matthew 2:13, 15) or teachings (Matthew 5:24). A notable pattern is its use in eschatological contexts to describe the destination of the wicked (e.g., Matthew 13:42, 50). It also appears in logical or proverbial statements, as in 'where your treasure is, there your heart will be also' (Matthew 6:21).

Etymology

Derived from the demonstrative root ἐκεῖνος ('that one'), ἐκεῖ is an adverb of place. It is related to the pronoun ἐκεῖνος (G1565) and shares a common Indo-European root with the Latin 'ecce' ('behold'). Its formation emphasizes a location removed from the speaker, solidifying its core meaning of 'there' or 'in that place.'

Semantic Range

While primarily a locative adverb, ἐκεῖ gains theological weight in passages about divine judgment and destiny. In Matthew's Gospel, it repeatedly marks the dreadful 'there' of outer darkness and the fiery furnace (Matthew 8:12, 13:42, 50), contrasting with the promised 'here' of God's kingdom. This underscores the concrete reality of final destinations in biblical eschatology. Understanding this Greek term highlights the specific, appointed places in God's redemptive and judicial plan.

In the ancient Mediterranean worldview, specific place names and locations held significant importance for identity, travel, and divine activity. The use of ἐκεῖ to pinpoint where events occurred or where one should go would resonate in a culture where journeys were perilous and geography was tied to theology (e.g., Jerusalem, Babylon, 'the desert'). Its directional sense ('thither') reflects a world oriented by physical movement rather than abstract coordinates.

ἐνταῦθα (entauta, G1759) — means 'here, in this place,' the opposite of ἐκεῖ ('there'). ὅπου (hopou, G3699) — a more general relative adverb meaning 'where,' often used to introduce a clause describing a location, whereas ἐκεῖ typically points to a specific, previously mentioned place.

Word Details

Scripture References