Understanding δεκτός (dektos) Strong’s G1184: The Divine Acceptance that Reveals God’s Favor and Appointed Time

Pronunciation Guide: dek-TOS (emphasis on second syllable)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1184: δεκτός (dektos) describes that which is accepted, acceptable, welcome, or favorable in God’s sight. It indicates a state of divine approval and favor that comes through God’s gracious acceptance. In the New Testament, it particularly connects to the concept of “the acceptable year of the Lord” which points to the Messianic era of salvation and grace inaugurated by Yeshua (Jesus).

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of speech: Adjective
• Derived from the verb δέχομαι (dechomai, G1209) meaning “to receive” or “to accept”
• Used primarily in prophetic and teaching passages
• Has Jewish theological significance in connection with acceptable sacrifices
• Appears in the Septuagint as a translation for Hebrew רָצוֹן (ratson) meaning “favor” or “acceptance”

δεκτός Morphology:

• δεκτός (nominative masculine singular) – acceptable
• δεκτή (nominative feminine singular) – acceptable
• δεκτόν (nominative/accusative neuter singular) – acceptable
• δεκτοί (nominative masculine plural) – acceptable ones
• δεκτῶν (genitive plural) – of acceptable ones

Origin & History

The term δεκτός evolved from the Greek verb δέχομαι (dechomai), which fundamentally means “to receive” or “to welcome.” In classical Greek literature, it appears in Xenophon’s “Cyropaedia” (4.1.7) where it describes persons or things that are “acceptable” or “received with approval.” However, the term gained greater theological significance in the Septuagint, where it frequently translates the Hebrew רָצוֹן (ratson), a term closely associated with divine acceptance of sacrifices and prayers.

In the Septuagint, δεκτός appears notably in Leviticus 1:3-4, where it describes the burnt offering that is “acceptable” before Yahweh. The term develops a rich theological meaning in Isaiah 61:2, where it speaks of “the acceptable year of the Lord” (ἐνιαυτὸν κυρίου δεκτόν) – a prophetic declaration of the coming Messianic age when God’s favor would be poured out. This passage becomes foundational for understanding Yeshua’s mission as He quotes it in His first public sermon in Nazareth (Luke 4:19).

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Divine acceptance – something or someone that meets God’s approval
• Favorable reception – describing a welcome or positive reception
• Appointed time – particularly in reference to “the acceptable year of the Lord”
• Approved sacrifice – in contexts referring to offerings that please God
• Welcomed truth – teachings or prophetic words that should be embraced

δεκτός Translation Options:

• “Acceptable” – emphasizes that something meets divine standards and is thus approved by God (most common translation)
• “Favorable” – highlights the positive reception and blessing that accompanies divine acceptance
• “Welcome” – stresses the warm reception or hospitality aspect of the term
• “Approved” – focuses on the aspect of passing divine inspection or judgment
• “Received” – captures the passive aspect of being taken in or embraced by God

Biblical Usage

The term δεκτός appears 6 times in the New Testament, with its first and most significant appearance in Luke 4:19, where Yeshua reads from Isaiah 61:1-2, proclaiming “the acceptable year of the Lord.” This declaration marked the inauguration of the Messianic age of grace and salvation. The term carries powerful theological implications as it connects the ministry of Yeshua directly to the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy about the coming Messiah.

In Acts 10:35, Peter uses δεκτός to express the revolutionary insight that God accepts people from every nation who fear Him and do what is right. This usage marked a paradigm shift in early Messianic understanding, as it expanded God’s acceptance beyond ethnic Israel to include Gentiles who responded to God in faith. Paul further develops this concept in Romans and Ephesians, though using related terms.

• “To proclaim the acceptable [δεκτόν] year of the Lord.” Luke 4:19
• “But in every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable [δεκτός] to Him.” Acts 10:35
• “For he says, ‘In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the favorable [δεκτός] time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2
• “For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance [πρόσληψις, a related concept] mean but life from the dead?” Romans 11:15
• “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable [εὐάρεστον, a synonym] to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1
• “So that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable [εὐάρεστον, a synonym] and perfect.” Romans 12:2

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish culture, the concept of “acceptability” before God carried tremendous significance, particularly in the sacrificial system. When an Israelite brought an offering to the Temple, the primary concern was whether it would be δεκτός (acceptable) to Yahweh. Leviticus provides detailed instructions about what constituted an acceptable sacrifice – it had to be without blemish, offered with the right heart attitude, and presented according to the prescribed ritual. A sacrifice that was not δεκτός would not only be rejected but could potentially bring judgment rather than blessing.

The phrase “the acceptable year of the Lord” in Isaiah 61:2 (which Yeshua quotes in Luke 4:19) has particular cultural significance as it likely refers to the Jubilee Year described in Leviticus 25. The Jubilee, occurring every 50 years, was a time when debts were forgiven, slaves were freed, and ancestral lands were returned to their original families. By identifying His ministry with this “acceptable year,” Yeshua was declaring a spiritual Jubilee – a time of liberation, restoration, and divine favor that would transcend the physical benefits of the historical Jubilee. This connection would have resonated deeply with His Jewish audience who understood the Jubilee as a picture of the Messianic age.

Theological Significance

The concept of δεκτός reveals profound truths about God’s character and His redemptive plan. It demonstrates that Yahweh is not capricious or arbitrary in His acceptance but has established clear standards through which humans can enter into relationship with Him. In the Old Testament, this acceptability came through proper sacrifices that foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of the Messiah. The fact that God provided a way for sinful humans to be made acceptable to Him reveals His compassionate nature and desire for reconciliation.

When Yeshua proclaimed “the acceptable year of the Lord” in Luke 4:19, He was announcing that the time of God’s special favor had arrived through Him. Notably, when quoting Isaiah 61:1-2, Yeshua stopped mid-verse, omitting the phrase “and the day of vengeance of our God.” This deliberate omission highlights that His first coming inaugurated the age of grace and acceptance, while judgment would be reserved for His second coming. This reveals God’s patience and His desire that all would come to repentance before the final day of reckoning.

The revolutionary teaching in Acts 10:35 that people from every nation can be δεκτός to God demonstrates Yahweh’s impartiality and universal love. This truth dismantles ethnocentrism and reveals that God’s redemptive plan always intended to embrace all peoples who respond to Him in faith. The fact that acceptance is based on heart attitude (“fears Him”) and obedient response (“does what is right”) rather than ethnic identity reveals God’s concern with internal transformation rather than external markers.

Personal Application

Understanding δεκτός can transform how we approach God and live out our faith daily. Many believers struggle with feelings of unworthiness and fear that they are not acceptable to God. However, the biblical truth is that through faith in Yeshua, we have been made fully acceptable to the Father. We don’t need to earn God’s acceptance through religious performance or good works – it has been freely given through the Messiah’s sacrifice.

This truth should inspire us to live in the freedom of God’s acceptance while also motivating us to present our lives as “acceptable sacrifices” (Romans 12:1-2). Just as the Israelites brought their best offerings to the Temple, we can offer our talents, time, and resources to God as expressions of gratitude for His acceptance. When we understand that we are already δεκτός to God through Yeshua, our service becomes a response to grace rather than an attempt to earn favor. This perspective transforms religious duty into joyful worship and liberates us to serve God from a place of security rather than anxiety.

Related Words

• εὐπρόσδεκτος (euprosdektos) – especially acceptable or well-received; a strengthened form of δεκτός that emphasizes exceptional acceptability or warm reception. See G2144
• εὐάρεστος (euarestos) – well-pleasing or fully acceptable; focuses on the pleasure or satisfaction that the accepted object brings to the receiver. See G2101
• δέχομαι (dechomai) – to receive, accept, or welcome; the verbal root from which δεκτός derives, emphasizing the action of receiving rather than the state of acceptability. See G1209
• ἀπόδεκτος (apodektos) – acceptable, welcome; specifically connotes something received from another with approval. See G587
• χάρις (charis) – grace, favor; closely related conceptually as divine favor is the basis of God’s acceptance. See G5485

Did you Know?

• Did you know that when Yeshua quoted Isaiah 61:1-2 in the synagogue at Nazareth (Luke 4:18-19), He stopped reading at “to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,” deliberately omitting the next phrase about “the day of vengeance of our God”? This was not a mistake but a profound theological statement indicating that His first coming was to inaugurate the age of grace and acceptance, while judgment would be reserved for His second coming. This selective reading shocked His audience and contributed to their hostile reaction.
• Did you know that the concept of the “acceptable year” (ἐνιαυτὸν δεκτόν) in Luke 4:19 likely connects to the Jewish Year of Jubilee described in Leviticus 25? The Jubilee, occurring every 50 years, was a time when debts were canceled, slaves were freed, and land returned to original families. Though there’s limited historical evidence that Israel ever fully implemented the Jubilee, it remained a powerful symbol of the Messianic age when God would bring ultimate restoration. Yeshua was effectively announcing that the spiritual reality behind the Jubilee had arrived in His ministry.
• Did you know that in modern Greek, the word δεκτός (dektos) is still used today to mean “acceptable” or “receivable”? It appears in everyday contexts such as “δεκτή πληρωμή” (acceptable payment) and “δεκτή αίτηση” (accepted application). This continuity across nearly three millennia demonstrates the enduring precision and utility of Greek vocabulary, and provides a living connection to the language of the New Testament.

Remember This

δεκτός reveals that God’s acceptance is not arbitrary but is graciously extended to all who come to Him through Yeshua, inviting us to live in the freedom of being fully received by our Creator during this divinely appointed “acceptable time.”