Strong's Lexicon ektenés: Earnest, fervent, constant Original Word: ἐκτενής Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb ἐκτείνω (ekteinō), meaning "to stretch out" or "to extend." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἐκτενής, the concept of fervency or earnestness can be seen in Hebrew words like חָזָק (chazaq - strong, firm) and תָּמִיד (tamid - continually, perpetually). Usage: The Greek adjective ἐκτενής (ektenés) conveys the idea of being earnest, fervent, or constant in action or attitude. It is often used to describe a quality of intense and sustained effort or emotion, particularly in the context of prayer, love, or other spiritual disciplines. The term suggests a stretching or reaching out with purpose and dedication. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of earnestness or fervency was highly valued, especially in philosophical and religious contexts. The idea of stretching oneself in pursuit of a goal was a common metaphor in both athletic and spiritual disciplines. In the early Christian community, this term would have resonated with believers who were encouraged to live out their faith with intensity and perseverance, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel in their lives. HELPS Word-studies 1618 ektenḗs (an adjective, derived from 1537 /ek, "wholly out" which intensifies teinō, "to stretch" which is also the root of English terms, "tension" and "tense") – properly, stretch out, i.e. fully because completely taut; (figuratively) at maximum potential, without slack because fully extended to its necessary outcome. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ekteinó Definition stretched, fig. zealous, earnest NASB Translation fervent (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1618: ἐκτενήςἐκτενής, ἐκτενές (ἐκτείνω), properly, stretched out; figuratively, intent, earnest, assiduous: προσευχή, Acts 12:5 R G (εὐχή, Ignatius (interpolated) ad Eph. 10 [ET]; δέησις καί ἱκεσία, Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 59, 2 [ET]); ἀγάπη, 1 Peter 4:8. Neuter of the comparitive ἐκτενέστερον, as adverb, more intently, more earnestly, Luke 22:44 (L brackets WH reject the passage). (ἐκτενής φίλος, Aeschylus suppl. 983; Polybius 22, 5, 4; then very often from Philo on; cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 311.) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance without ceasing, fervent. From ekteino; intent -- without ceasing, fervent. see GREEK ekteino Forms and Transliterations εκτενέστερον εκτενη εκτενή ἐκτενῆ εκτενής ektene ektenê ektenē ektenē̂Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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