ἑβδομήκοντα
hebdomḗkonta
G1440 determiner
SILEX Entry
Definition
The cardinal number seventy (70); refers to the numerical value or quantity expressing seventy units or individuals. Used to denote a total of seventy in enumeration, lists, or groups.
Semantic Range
seventy, a group of seventy, seventy in number; by extension, a symbolic or administrative grouping counted as seventy; ordinal designations ('seventieth') formed with related terms; appears in literal and symbolic/cultic enumerations in Judean and Israelite contexts
Root / Etymology
From ἕβδομος ('seventh') and a form of δέκα ('ten'), compounded according to standard Greek numeral formation for decades above 10 (i.e., expressing 'seven tens').
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical, Hellenistic, and Koine Greek, ἑβδομήκοντα is the standard form for the number seventy. It appears in literary, legal, and historical contexts, often in enumerations of people, years, or items. In the Septuagint and New Testament, it is used to translate the Hebrew שִׁבְעִים (shiv‘im), appearing in genealogies, census data, and to enumerate groups (e.g., 'seventy disciples', 'seventy elders'). In some traditions, 'seventy' designates symbolic or administrative groupings (such as the 'seventy' elders of Israel). Standard English translations as 'seventy' (or 'threescore and ten' in older translations) accurately represent its basic meaning. The word carries no specialized technical or symbolic sense in Greek itself apart from denoting the number.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἕβδομος and a modified form of δέκα; seventy:--seventy, three score and ten.
Root Family
ἑβδομήκοντα (hebdomēkonta) — seven, seventh, ten; seventy
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1440-01 |
ἑβδομήκοντα | ebdomekonta | DET ACC M PL |
seventy | seventy | 5 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1440-01 |
Luke 10:1 | ἑβδομήκοντα | ebdomekonta | DET ACC M PL |
seventy | seventy |
G1440-01 |
Luke 10:17 | ἑβδομήκοντα | ebdomekonta | ADJ.S NOM M PL |
seventy | seventy |
G1440-01 |
Acts 7:14 | ἑβδομήκοντα | ebdomekonta | DET DAT F PL |
seventy | seventy |
G1440-01 |
Acts 23:23 | ἑβδομήκοντα | ebdomekonta | DET ACC M PL |
seventy | seventy |
G1440-01 |
Acts 27:37 | ἑβδομήκοντα | ebdomekonta | ADJ.S NOM F PL |
seventy | seventy |