Original Word: μακρόθεν
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: makrothen
Pronunciation: mä-kro'-then
Phonetic Spelling: (mak-roth'-en)
Definition: from a (long) distance, afar.
Meaning: The adverb μακρόθεν means "from afar" or "at a distance."

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word μακρός (makros), meaning "long" or "far."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of distance or separation in the Hebrew Bible can be related to several Hebrew terms, though there is no direct equivalent to μακρόθεν. Some related Hebrew words include רָחוֹק (rachoq, Strong's H7350), meaning "far" or "distant," which conveys a similar sense of physical or metaphorical separation.

Usage: This term is used in the New Testament to describe physical distance or separation, often in the context of someone observing or interacting from a distance.

Context: The Greek adverb μακρόθεν appears in several New Testament passages, illustrating both literal and metaphorical distances. It is used to describe physical separation, as seen in the Gospels and Revelation. For instance, in the Gospel of Mark, μακρόθεν is used to depict the disciples observing Jesus from a distance during His crucifixion (Mark 15:40, BSB: "And there were also women watching from a distance..."). This usage underscores the emotional and physical separation experienced by the followers of Jesus during His suffering.

In Luke 16:23, the term is employed in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, where the rich man sees Abraham and Lazarus "from afar" (BSB: "In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side"). This illustrates a spiritual and existential distance, emphasizing the chasm between the realms of the blessed and the tormented.

The Book of Revelation also uses μακρόθεν to describe the lament of the kings of the earth over the fall of Babylon, as they stand "at a distance" (Revelation 18:10, BSB: "They will stand at a distance in fear of her torment and say, 'Woe, woe to the great city, the mighty city of Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.'"). This conveys both a literal and symbolic separation, highlighting the fear and helplessness of those witnessing divine judgment.

Overall, μακρόθεν serves to emphasize separation, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, and is often used in contexts that highlight the consequences of sin, judgment, or the fulfillment of prophecy.

Word Origin
from makros
Definition
from afar, afar
NASB Translation
away* (1), distance (11), far (1), great distance (1), some distance away (1).

STRONGS NT 3113: μακρόθεν

μακρόθεν (μακρός), adverb, especially of later Greek (Polybius, others; cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 93); the Sept. for מֵרָחוק, רָחוק, etc.; from afar, afar: Mark 8:3; Mark 11:13; Luke 18:13; Luke 22:54; Luke 23:49; with the preposition ἀπό prefixed (cf. Winers Grammar, 422 (393); § 65, 2; Buttmann, 70 (62)): Matthew 26:58 (here T omits; WH brackets ἀπό); ; Mark 5:6; Mark 14:54; Mark 15:40, Luke 16:23; Revelation 18:10, 15, 17; also L T Tr WH in Mark 11:13; L T Tr marginal reading WH in Luke 23:49; T Tr WH in Mark 8:3 (Psalm 137:6 (); 2 Kings 19:25 manuscript Alex.; 2 Esdr. 3:13).

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

afar off, from far.

Adverb from makros; from a distance or afar -- afar off, from far.

see GREEK makros

Forms and Transliterations

μακροθεν μακρόθεν makrothen makróthen

Links

Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts