Strong's g1564

Pronunciation Guide: eh-KAY-then

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1564: ἐκεῖθεν (ekeithen) is an adverb of place signifying movement “from there” or “from that place.” It indicates a point of departure or origin from a previously established location. This directional term serves as a navigational marker throughout biblical narratives, establishing both physical journeys and spiritual transitions in Scripture.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of speech: Adverb of place
• Root: Derived from ἐκεῖ (ekei, “there”) + the suffix -θεν (-then) which denotes “from”
• Language origin: Classical Greek
• Primary usage: Narrative sections, particularly in the Gospels and Acts to track movement
• Construction: Combines a demonstrative element (ἐκεῖ) with a suffix (-θεν) indicating source or origin
• Style: Used frequently in historical narrative to advance location changes

ἐκεῖθεν Morphology:

• ἐκεῖθεν – adverbial form – “from there” (does not change form as it is an indeclinable adverb)

Origin & History

The term ἐκεῖθεν has deep roots in classical Greek literature where it functioned as a standard directional adverb. Homer employed it in the Iliad and Odyssey to mark the heroes’ journeys from one location to another. In Herodotus’ Histories, the term frequently appears when describing geographical movements and the progression of military campaigns.

In the Septuagint (LXX), ἐκεῖθεν translated the Hebrew משם (misham, “from there”) and appears prominently in narrative accounts of the patriarchs’ journeys. For example, in Genesis 12:8, it describes Abraham’s departure from a location near Bethel. The term retained its directional significance while often acquiring theological undertones in contexts where God directed His people from one place to another, suggesting divine guidance in Israel’s physical and spiritual journeys.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Movement away from a specified location
• Departure from a previously mentioned place
• Source or origin point (metaphorically)
• Chronological sequence marker (“from that time”)
• Progression in narrative or argument (“from that point”)

ἐκεῖθεν Translation Options:

• “From there” – The most common and literal translation, appropriate when describing physical movement (Matthew 4:21)
• “From that place” – Slightly more formal, emphasizing the specific location (Mark 6:1)
• “Moving on from there” – Captures the sense of progression in a journey (Matthew 9:9)
• “Leaving that place” – Emphasizes the act of departure (Matthew 11:1)
• “Away from there” – Highlights distance or separation (Mark 6:11)

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἐκεῖθεν appears 27 times, with the highest concentration in Matthew (10 occurrences) and Mark (8 occurrences). Its usage frequently coincides with Jesus’ ministry journeys, marking His strategic movements from town to town. In the narrative structure of the Gospels, ἐκεῖθεν often signals a transition to a new episode in Jesus’ ministry, connecting geographical movement with the advancement of His message.

In Acts, Luke employs ἐκεῖθεν to trace the missionary journeys of Paul, creating a geographical framework for the spread of the Gospel beyond Jerusalem. The term helps establish the dynamic nature of early Christian evangelism, demonstrating how the message radiated outward from specific centers of activity.

• “Going on from there [ἐκεῖθεν], He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them.” Matthew 4:21
• “And from there [ἐκεῖθεν] He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon.” Mark 7:24
• “And He said to them, ‘Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that place. Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there [ἐκεῖθεν], shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them.'” Mark 6:10-11
• “And when Jesus departed from there [ἐκεῖθεν], two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, ‘Son of David, have mercy on us!'” Matthew 9:27
• “Now when they had departed from there [ἐκεῖθεν], they passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it.” Mark 9:30
• “But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here [ἐκεῖθεν] to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.'” Luke 16:25-26
• “From there [ἐκεῖθεν] they sailed to Antioch, from which they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed.” Acts 14:26

Cultural Insights

In ancient Mediterranean culture, journey narratives carried profound significance beyond mere geographical movement. The concept of a journey (expressed through directional terms like ἐκεῖθεν) often symbolized spiritual transformation and divine calling. When Jesus moved “from there” (ἐκεῖθεν) in the Gospels, it wasn’t merely physical relocation but represented strategic advancement of His kingdom mission in accordance with the Father’s timing.

Jewish travel customs during the Second Temple period included specific prayers and rituals for departures and transitions. When leaving a town or village (indicated by ἐκεῖθεν in Gospel narratives), Jewish travelers often recited the Tefilat HaDerech (Traveler’s Prayer), asking for God’s protection and guidance. Jesus’ movements, marked by ἐκεῖθεν, would have been understood in this cultural context of divine guidance and purposeful journey. His instruction to the disciples to shake the dust off their feet when departing (ἐκεῖθεν) from unreceptive towns (Mark 6:11) drew upon the Jewish practice of removing dust when leaving Gentile territories to avoid ritual impurity, repurposing it as a testimony against those rejecting the Gospel.

Theological Significance

The directional movement signified by ἐκεῖθεν in Scripture often reveals God’s sovereign orchestration of events. When Jesus departed “from there” (ἐκεῖθεν), it wasn’t random wandering but divinely guided movement. Each transition marked by this term in the Gospels demonstrates how the Messiah’s journey fulfilled prophetic expectations and advanced God’s redemptive plan according to divine timing and purpose.

The pattern of movement described by ἐκεῖθεν in biblical narratives reflects the progressive nature of God’s revelation. Just as Israel journeyed through various locations in their covenant history, each marked by departures (ἐκεῖθεν), so too does God’s revelation unfold through progressive stages. This pattern culminates in the Gospel narratives where Jesus’ movements (each ἐκεῖθεν instance) demonstrate how Yahweh was physically present among His people, strategically establishing His kingdom through geographic advancement. The term thus connects to the broader theological theme of God’s dynamic presence moving through history toward the fulfillment of His promises.

Personal Application

The directional movement of ἐκεῖθεν invites us to consider our own spiritual journeys. Just as Jesus moved purposefully “from there” to advance His Father’s mission, we too are called to move forward in faith, leaving behind certain seasons and places when God directs us to new spiritual territory. This may involve physical relocations or, more often, transitions in our spiritual understanding and maturity.

When we encounter times of transition in our lives, ἐκεῖθεν reminds us that every departure point is part of God’s orchestrated plan. Rather than clinging to familiar territory or past seasons, we can embrace the forward movement of God’s work in our lives, trusting that each “from there” moment leads to a divinely appointed destination. Consider prayerfully: What might God be calling you to move beyond today? What familiar territory is He asking you to leave behind as He guides you toward new spiritual horizons?

Related Words

• ἐκεῖ (ekei, “there”) – The root of ἐκεῖθεν, indicating a location away from the speaker. While ἐκεῖθεν denotes movement from a place, ἐκεῖ simply identifies the place itself without movement. See G1563
• ἐντεῦθεν (enteuthen, “from here”) – Similar directional adverb but indicates movement from the speaker’s current location rather than from a previously mentioned place. See G1782
• ὅθεν (hothen, “from where”) – A relative adverb of place indicating source or origin, but used in dependent clauses rather than as an independent directional marker. See G3606
• πόθεν (pothen, “from where?”) – Interrogative adverb asking about origin or source, contrasting with the demonstrative nature of ἐκεῖθεν. See G4159
• μετά (meta, “after”) – While not strictly a directional adverb like ἐκεῖθεν, it similarly marks transitions, though in temporal rather than spatial terms. See G3326

Did you Know?

• Did you know that ἐκεῖθεν appears at critical junctures in Jesus’ ministry, often marking significant shifts in His focus or audience? For example, in Matthew 15:21, Jesus departs “from there” (ἐκεῖθεν) and enters Gentile territory (Tyre and Sidon), signaling an important extension of His ministry beyond Jewish boundaries. These directional markers help reveal the strategic nature of the Messiah’s mission as He systematically reached different regions and populations according to the Father’s divine plan.
• Did you know that in modern Greek, derivatives of ἐκεῖθεν are still used in formal and literary contexts? The concept has even expanded into scientific terminology, where words with the suffix “-θεν” are used in fields like geology and geography to describe movement or origin from specific locations. This demonstrates how the precise directional concept embedded in biblical Greek continues to influence language used to describe movement and origin today.
• Did you know that the combination of ἐκεῖ + θεν in ἐκεῖθεν follows a common pattern in ancient Greek for forming directional adverbs? Similar constructions include οὐρανόθεν (from heaven), οἴκοθεν (from home), and πάντοθεν (from all sides). This grammatical pattern enabled precise directional expression in biblical narratives, allowing authors to efficiently communicate not just location but the vector of movement between narrative settings. This linguistic precision serves the theological purpose of demonstrating divine direction in biblical events.

Remember This

ἐκεῖθεν marks not merely geographical transitions in Scripture but divine redirections, reminding us that every “from there” moment in our lives is part of Yahweh’s sovereign journey leading us toward His redemptive purposes.