ἐντεῦθεν

hence, from this place, on this side and on that

Definition

The Greek particle ἐντεῦθεν primarily means 'from here' or 'from this place,' indicating a point of origin or departure, as when Jesus tells the money-changers to 'take these things away from here' (John 2:16). It can also denote a logical consequence or inference, meaning 'hence' or 'therefore,' as seen in the statement about faith moving mountains (Matthew 17:20). In some contexts, it takes on a spatial sense of 'on this side and on that,' describing a separation between two realms, such as the great chasm fixed between the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:26).

Biblical Usage

ἐντεῦθεν is used 11 times in the New Testament, appearing in the Gospels of Matthew, Luke, and John. It often marks a physical departure point, as in Jesus leaving a location (John 14:31) or the devil's temptation from the pinnacle of the temple (Luke 4:9). It also frames spatial or conceptual boundaries, such as the impassable divide in Hades (Luke 16:26) and the non-earthly origin of Jesus' kingdom (John 18:36). The word is employed in logical arguments to draw conclusions, notably in Matthew 17:20 regarding the power of faith.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἐν (en, meaning 'in') combined with the root τεῦθεν (teythen, an adverb meaning 'thence' or 'from there'). It is a compound word that literally means 'from in here' or 'from this place.' Its formation emphasizes a specific point of origin, whether literal or figurative, and it is related to other demonstrative adverbs in Greek that indicate location or source.

Semantic Range

ἐντεῦθεν carries theological weight in passages depicting separation and origin. In Luke 16:26, it underscores the finality of divine judgment and the unbridgeable gap between the saved and the lost after death. In John 18:36, Jesus uses it to declare the otherworldly, non-political nature of his kingdom, stating it is not 'from here' (ἐντεῦθεν), emphasizing its heavenly source and contrasting it with earthly realms. Understanding this term enriches readings of eschatology and Christology by highlighting spatial and ontological distinctions central to biblical teaching.

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, spatial and directional language like ἐντεῦθεν was crucial for navigation and rhetorical argumentation. Its use to mark boundaries (as in Luke 16:26) would resonate in a culture familiar with stark social and metaphysical separations. The concept of something not originating 'from here' (John 18:36) challenged common expectations of a localized, earthly messianic kingdom, contrasting with contemporary Jewish hopes for a political liberator.

ἐκεῖθεν (ekeithen, G1564) — means 'from there' or 'thence,' indicating a different, often more distant, point of origin compared to ἐντεῦθεν's 'from here.'

Word Details

Scripture References