Original Word: ἐναντίον
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: enantion
Pronunciation: eh-NAN-tee-on
Phonetic Spelling: (en-an-tee'-on)
Definition: before, in the presence of, in the eyes of.
Meaning: The term ἐναντίον generally means "before," "in the presence of," or "opposite to." It conveys the idea of being in front of or facing something or someone.

Word Origin: Derived from the preposition ἐν (en, "in") and the noun ἀντίος (antios, "opposite" or "against").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek ἐναντίον corresponds to several Hebrew terms that convey similar meanings of presence or opposition, such as:
• Strong's Hebrew 6440: פָּנִים (panim) – often translated as "face" or "presence."
• Strong's Hebrew 5048: נֶגֶד (neged) – meaning "before," "in front of," or "opposite."

These Hebrew terms similarly express the idea of being in the presence of or facing someone or something, reflecting the relational and spatial nuances found in ἐναντίον.

Usage: In the New Testament, ἐναντίον is used to describe a position or stance in relation to another person or object, often implying a sense of being in the presence of or directly facing.

Context: The Greek word ἐναντίον appears in various contexts within the New Testament, often used to describe a spatial or relational position. It is frequently translated as "before" or "in the presence of," indicating a direct or face-to-face encounter. This term is used to convey the idea of being in a position where one is seen or observed by another, often in a formal or significant setting.

For example, in Luke 1:6, it is used to describe the righteous lives of Zechariah and Elizabeth: "They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord." Here, ἐναντίον emphasizes their uprightness as perceived by God, highlighting their moral standing before Him.

In Acts 7:46, it is used in Stephen's speech: "David found favor in the sight of God and asked to provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob." The use of ἐναντίον underscores the divine approval and presence in David's life and actions.

The term also appears in contexts of opposition or confrontation, as seen in Galatians 2:11: "But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned." Here, ἐναντίον is part of the phrase "to his face," indicating a direct and personal confrontation.

Overall, ἐναντίον is a versatile term that captures the essence of presence, observation, and sometimes opposition, depending on the context in which it is used.

Word Origin
neut. of enantios, used as preposition and adverb
Definition
before, in the presence of.

in the presence of.

Neuter of enantios; (adverbially) in the presence (view) of -- before, in the presence of.

see GREEK enantios

εναντιον εναντίον έναντίον ἐναντίον εναντιούται enantion enantíonInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts