Bible Word Study
ταχινός
tachinos · swift, quick
ταχινός
swift, quick
Definition
The adjective ταχινός means 'swift' or 'quick,' describing something that happens with speed. In the New Testament, it carries the nuance of 'impending' or 'soon to occur,' particularly in reference to divinely appointed events. In 2 Peter 1:14, it describes the 'swift' or 'imminent' departure of Peter's earthly life, as revealed by Jesus. In 2 Peter 2:1, it modifies 'destruction,' indicating that the judgment for false teachers is not only certain but will come speedily.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only in 2 Peter, both times in contexts of divine timing and judgment. It modifies nouns related to significant transitions: the 'putting off' of Peter's body (2 Peter 1:14) and the 'destruction' of false prophets (2 Peter 2:1). In both cases, it emphasizes the certainty and nearness of these events from a divine perspective, not necessarily immediate human reckoning.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek root ταχύς (tachys, G5036), meaning 'swift' or 'quick.' The adjectival suffix -ινός (-inos) forms an adjective indicating 'pertaining to' or 'characterized by' speed. It is related to the verb ταχύνω (tachynō, G5032), 'to hasten.'
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it connects human mortality and divine judgment to God's sovereign timing. In 2 Peter 1:14, it underscores the transience of earthly life in light of divine revelation. In 2 Peter 2:1, it reinforces the doctrine of God's justice, assuring that judgment, while it may seem delayed from a human viewpoint, is assured and 'swift' in God's plan. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by highlighting the biblical tension between divine patience and the certainty of impending fulfillment. In the ancient Greco-Roman world, concepts of speed and timing were often viewed through a more immediate, human lens. The biblical use, especially in eschatological contexts, reframes 'swiftness' within God's eternal perspective, where 'soon' can encompass divine patience (2 Peter 3:9) alongside imminent certainty, a nuance that may differ from modern expectations of instantaneity. ταχύς (tachys, G5036) — The simpler, more common adjective for 'swift' or 'quick,' without the specific adjectival nuance of ταχινός. ταχύνω (tachynō, G5032) — A verb meaning 'to hasten' or 'to speed up,' focusing on the action rather than the quality.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). Concordance and morphology data are derived from the interlinear Bible.
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]