ὀγδοήκοντα

eighty

Definition

The Greek word ὀγδοήκοντα is a cardinal number meaning 'eighty'. It is used exclusively in its literal, numerical sense in the New Testament to denote the quantity of eighty. In Luke 2:37, it describes the age of the prophetess Anna, specifying she was a widow for eighty-four years (literally 'until eighty-four years'). In Luke 16:7, it quantifies a debt of 'eighty measures of oil' in Jesus's parable. There are no figurative or symbolic meanings attached to this specific numeral in these contexts.

Biblical Usage

This word appears only twice in the New Testament, both in the Gospel of Luke. Its usage is strictly numerical and descriptive. In Luke 2:37, it provides a precise detail about the duration of Anna's widowhood, contributing to her characterization as a devout and persistent figure in the temple. In Luke 16:7, it specifies the amount in a financial transaction within the Parable of the Shrewd Manager, adding concrete detail to the narrative. No broader syntactic or thematic patterns exist due to its limited occurrence.

Etymology

ὀγδοήκοντα is a standard Greek cardinal number derived from ὄγδοος (ogdoos, G3590), meaning 'eighth'. The formation follows a common pattern for tens (e.g., εἴκοσι [twenty], τριάκοντα [thirty]). Its meaning is straightforward and did not undergo significant semantic development, retaining its core numerical sense from classical through Koine Greek.

Semantic Range

In the cultural context of Luke 2:37, Anna's age of 'eighty-four' (implied from her widowhood of eighty years) marked her as an exceptionally elderly woman, which amplified the cultural respect for her wisdom and prophetic witness. In the economic context of Luke 16:7, 'eighty measures (batos)' of oil represented a substantial debt, highlighting the scale of the manager's dealings. The number eighty itself held no particular symbolic weight in common Jewish or Greco-Roman thought, unlike numbers such as seven or forty.

ὀκτώ (oktō, G3638) — the cardinal number 'eight', from which ὀγδοήκονta is derived. τεσσεράκοντα (tesserakonta, G5062) — the cardinal number 'forty', another example of the '-konta' suffix for tens.

Word Details

Scripture References