3819. palai
Lexical Summary
palai: Long ago, formerly, of old

Original Word: πάλαι
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: palai
Pronunciation: PAH-lie
Phonetic Spelling: (pal'-ahee)
KJV: any while, a great while ago, (of) old, in time past
NASB: long ago, all this time, former, long
Word Origin: [probably another form for G3825 (πάλιν - again) (through the idea of retrocession)]

1. (adverbially) formerly
2. (by relatively) sometime since
3. (elliptically as adjective) ancient

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
long ago

Probably another form for palin (through the idea of retrocession); (adverbially) formerly, or (by relatively) sometime since; (elliptically as adjective) ancient -- any while, a great while ago, (of) old, in time past.

see GREEK palin

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
long ago, of old
NASB Translation
all this time (1), former (1), long (1), long ago (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3819: πάλαι

πάλαι, adverb of time, from Homer down;

1. of old; Hebrews 1:1; (as adjective) former, 2 Peter 1:9. (πάλαι properly designates the past not like πρίν and πρότερον relatively, i. e. with a reference, more or less explicit, to some other time (whether past, present, or future), but simply and absolutely.)

2. long ago: Matthew 11:21; Luke 10:13; Jude 1:4; so also of time just past, Mark 15:44 (A. V. any while) (where L Tr text WH text ἤδη); 2 Corinthians 12:19 L T Tr WH (R. V. all this time) (so in Homer, Odyssey 20, 293; Josephus, Antiquities 14, 15, 4).

Topical Lexicon
Range of Meaning and Usage

The adverb πάλαι points to a time remote from the speaker’s present—“long ago,” “already,” “formerly.” In the New Testament it serves as a literary hinge, recalling God’s earlier works, exposing human forgetfulness, or underscoring unexpected developments. Each setting draws a line between what has previously occurred and the moment at hand, urging the reader to respond in faith and obedience.

Occurrences in the New Testament

Matthew 11:21 and Luke 10:13

“...they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.”

Jesus contrasts the stubbornness of Chorazin and Bethsaida with the hypothetical repentance of Tyre and Sidon, pressing home the urgency of present obedience by appealing to a repentance that would have happened “long ago.”

Mark 15:44

“Pilate was surprised that Jesus was already dead, and summoning the centurion, he asked whether He had been dead for some time.”

The governor’s inquiry highlights the unexpected speed of Christ’s death, adding historical credibility to the crucifixion narrative and paving the way for the certainty of His burial and resurrection.

2 Corinthians 12:19

“Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ, and all of it, beloved, is for your strengthening.”

Paul’s use of πάλαι reminds the Corinthians that his consistent aim, from the beginning of his dealings with them, has been their edification.

Hebrews 1:1

“On many past occasions and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets.”

The writer places God’s earlier revelation in deliberate contrast to the climactic word spoken “in these last days” through the Son (Hebrews 1:2), establishing continuity yet superiority.

2 Peter 1:9

“...having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.”

The adverb presses believers to pursue growth lest the memory of their former deliverance fade and spiritual vision be lost.

Jude 1:4

“...ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation...”

Jude anchors his warning in a decree already in place, reinforcing divine foreknowledge and the certainty of judgment upon false teachers.

Theological Themes

1. Continuity of Revelation

Hebrews 1:1 positions God’s earlier prophetic speech as foundational for the final revelation in Christ. Scripture’s storyline moves from “long ago” promises to present fulfillment, affirming the unity of the testaments.

2. Divine Forbearance and Human Accountability

Jesus’ woes (Matthew 11:21; Luke 10:13) reveal that God’s patience does not negate responsibility. Repentance expected “long ago” becomes evidence in the future judgment.

3. Certainty of Prophetic Pronouncement

Jude 1:4 shows that judgments pronounced in antiquity remain effective. What God declares stands across the centuries.

4. Apostolic Integrity

Paul (2 Corinthians 12:19) appeals to his long-standing motives, demonstrating consistent pastoral care. The adverb safeguards the authenticity of gospel ministry against shifting accusations.

5. Remembered Redemption

Peter warns that forgetting “past sins” leads to stunted growth. Christian sanctification depends on continual recall of initial cleansing.

Historical Significance

First-century readers lived within a culture that valued ancestral tradition. By invoking πάλαι, the inspired authors connected the gospel message to a recognized historical continuum. Whether addressing Jewish expectation (Hebrews), Greco-Roman skepticism (Corinthians), or emerging heresy (Jude and 2 Peter), the writers grounded their appeals in events and decrees already woven into redemptive history.

Ministry Application

• Preachers can underscore God’s unchanging character: what He promised or warned “long ago” still shapes the present.
• Discipleship thrives when believers remember their “past sins” forgiven; continual gratitude fuels virtue.
• Church leaders, like Paul, must demonstrate motives tested “all along” by time and transparency.
• Evangelistic appeals may follow Jesus’ pattern, contrasting the repentance that ought to have happened with today’s urgent call, moving hearers toward immediate surrender.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 3819, πάλαι, serves as a verbal bridge linking past revelation, deeds, and decrees to current divine action. Whether highlighting prophetic fulfillment, exposing unbelief, or affirming apostolic constancy, the term reminds the Church that the God who spoke and acted “long ago” remains sovereignly active now, and His word continues to demand faith, vigilance, and obedience.

Forms and Transliterations
παλαι πάλαι palai pálai
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 11:21 Adv
GRK: ἐν ὑμῖν πάλαι ἂν ἐν
NAS: in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth
INT: in you long ago anyhow in

Mark 15:44 Adv
GRK: αὐτὸν εἰ πάλαι ἀπέθανεν
INT: him if already he had died

Luke 10:13 Adv
GRK: ἐν ὑμῖν πάλαι ἂν ἐν
NAS: in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting
KJV: they had a great while ago repented,
INT: in you long ago anyhow in

2 Corinthians 12:19 Adv
GRK: Πάλαι δοκεῖτε ὅτι
NAS: All this time you have been thinking
INT: all along do you think that

Hebrews 1:1 Adv
GRK: ΚΑΙ ΠΟΛΥΤΡΟΠΩΣ πάλαι ὁ θεὸς
NAS: after He spoke long ago to the fathers
KJV: spake in time past unto the fathers
INT: and in many ways of old God

2 Peter 1:9 Adv
GRK: καθαρισμοῦ τῶν πάλαι αὐτοῦ ἁμαρτιῶν
NAS: [his] purification from his former sins.
KJV: that he was purged from his old sins.
INT: purification the of old of him sins

Jude 1:4 Adv
GRK: ἄνθρωποι οἱ πάλαι προγεγραμμένοι εἰς
NAS: those who were long beforehand marked
KJV: who were before of old ordained to
INT: men they who of old having been before marked out to

Strong's Greek 3819
7 Occurrences


πάλαι — 7 Occ.

3818
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