ἑξακόσιοι
six hundred
Definition
The Greek adjective ἑξακόσιοι (exakosioi) means 'six hundred' and functions as a cardinal number. It is used exclusively in the New Testament to denote a specific, large quantity. In its single biblical occurrence, it describes the immense distance of bloodshed in Revelation 14:20, quantifying the length as 'six hundred stadia.' This precise numerical figure contributes to the vivid, symbolic imagery of apocalyptic judgment.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the entire New Testament, in Revelation 14:20. It appears in a highly symbolic, apocalyptic context describing the severity of God's final judgment. The usage is purely numerical, specifying the extent ('six hundred stadia') of a winepress of wrath, which flows with blood. There are no other patterns of usage across different books or genres.
Etymology
Derived from the cardinal number ἕξ (hex, G1803), meaning 'six,' combined with the root for 'hundred,' which is related to ἑκατόν (hekaton, G1540). It is a compound numeral formed in a standard Greek pattern, similar to English 'six-hundred.' Its meaning is straightforward and did not undergo significant semantic development.
Semantic Range
While a simple number, its sole use in Revelation 14:20 is theologically significant. The figure 'six hundred stadia' (approx. 180 km/112 miles) symbolizes the vast, complete, and inescapable extent of God's wrathful judgment against the wicked at the end of the age. Understanding this precise Greek term highlights the intentional, graphic detail in apocalyptic literature, emphasizing the totality and horrific scale of divine justice.
The 'stadion' was a common Roman unit of distance, roughly 600 Greek feet or about 185 meters. A distance of 600 stadia would have been understood by first-century readers as an extraordinarily large span—roughly the length of Palestine from north to south. This cultural measurement amplifies the symbolic image of an immense, catastrophic flow of blood, conveying a sense of overwhelming and comprehensive judgment.
ἕξ (hex, G1803) — the cardinal number 'six'. ἑκατόν (hekaton, G1540) — the cardinal number 'one hundred'.
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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