ἕκτος
sixth
Definition
The adjective ἕκτος (ektos) means 'sixth' and is used exclusively in an ordinal sense to denote position in a sequence. In the New Testament, it consistently refers to the sixth hour of the day (e.g., Matthew 20:5, John 4:6, John 19:14) or the sixth month (Luke 1:26, 36). It also marks the sixth hour of darkness during the crucifixion (Matthew 27:45, Mark 15:33, Luke 23:44), a period of profound theological significance. No figurative or alternative meanings are attested in the biblical corpus.
Biblical Usage
This word is used 14 times in the New Testament, primarily in the Gospels. Its usage is almost entirely chronological, specifying either an hour of the day or a month of the year. A clear pattern is its association with pivotal events: the Annunciation to Mary in the sixth month (Luke 1:26), Jesus' meeting with the Samaritan woman at the sixth hour (John 4:6), and the darkness at the sixth hour during the crucifixion (Mark 15:33). It serves as a precise temporal marker within the narrative.
Etymology
Derived from the cardinal number ἕξ (hex, G1803), meaning 'six'. The ordinal suffix '-τος' is added to form 'sixth'. It is related to the root seen in other Indo-European languages (e.g., Latin 'sextus'). Its etymology is straightforward, with no significant semantic development from its root meaning.
Semantic Range
While a simple ordinal number, its usage at key moments invests it with theological weight. The sixth hour of darkness during the crucifixion (Matthew 27:45) symbolizes the climax of Jesus' atoning work and the judgment of God. In Luke's narrative, the sixth month (Luke 1:26, 36) connects the conceptions of John the Baptist and Jesus, highlighting divine timing in salvation history. Understanding this precise timing enriches the reader's appreciation of the narrative structure and symbolic depth of these events.
The Jewish day was divided into twelve hours from sunrise to sunset. The 'sixth hour' corresponded roughly to noon. This context is crucial; for instance, the sixth-hour darkness at the crucifixion (Luke 23:44) was an unmistakable supernatural event occurring at the brightest time of day. The mention of the 'sixth month' (Luke 1:26) follows a Jewish cultural understanding of time and pregnancy.
ἕξ (hex, G1803) — The cardinal number 'six', whereas ἕκτος is the ordinal 'sixth'.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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