ἕνδεκα

eleven

Definition

The Greek word ἕνδεκα is a cardinal number meaning 'eleven'. It is used exclusively in the New Testament to denote the group of Jesus' disciples after the defection of Judas Iscariot, thus referring to 'the Eleven' (e.g., Mark 16:14, Luke 24:9, 33). This specific numerical group becomes a significant identifier for the remaining apostolic witnesses following the resurrection. In Acts 1:26, the number is central to the narrative of restoring the group to twelve through the selection of Matthias, and in Acts 2:14, Peter addresses the crowd as one of 'the Eleven,' emphasizing their unified apostolic authority.

Biblical Usage

ἕνδεκα appears six times in the New Testament, always referring to the eleven remaining apostles. It is used in resurrection narratives (Matthew 28:16, Mark 16:14, Luke 24:9, 33) to identify those to whom Jesus appeared and who received the Great Commission. In Acts, it marks the transitional period before Pentecost, noting the incomplete apostolic group (Acts 1:26) and their unified public ministry at Pentecost (Acts 2:14). The usage is consistent across Gospels and Acts, always as a defining title for this specific, foundational group of leaders.

Etymology

ἕνδεκα is a compound adjective formed from εἷς (heis, G1520) meaning 'one' and δέκα (deka, G1176) meaning 'ten'. It follows the common Indo-European pattern for forming the number eleven (one + ten). This transparent construction is similar to the English 'eleven,' which historically derives from 'one left over (after ten)'.

Semantic Range

The term 'the Eleven' is theologically significant as it identifies the reconstituted core of apostolic witnesses to the resurrection, who form the foundation of the church (Ephesians 2:20). Their number, one short of the symbolic twelve tribes of Israel, creates a narrative tension resolved in Acts 1 with the selection of Matthias, restoring the full complement of twelve apostles. Understanding this specific group highlights the continuity of God's covenant people from Israel to the church, built upon the testimony of these appointed witnesses.

In the first-century Jewish context, the number twelve held profound symbolic weight, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. The group being called 'the Eleven' would have been immediately recognized as incomplete or deficient, lacking one member to fulfill that symbolic wholeness. This cultural understanding adds weight to the urgency and significance of restoring the twelfth apostle in Acts 1:15-26.

δώδεκα (dōdeka, G1427) — means 'twelve'; the full, symbolic number of the apostolic group. εἷς (heis, G1520) and δέκα (deka, G1176) — its constituent root words for 'one' and 'ten'.

Word Details

Scripture References