ἔκπαλαι
ékpalai
G1597 adverb
SILEX Entry
Definition
Adverb indicating an occurrence or state extending far back in time; primarily carries the sense of 'from long ago' or 'since ancient times.' The term is used to refer to something that originated, existed, or has been in effect from a distant temporal point in the past, often implying both temporal distance and continuity.
Semantic Range
from a distant time in the past, long ago, since ancient times, from of old, for a long while, longstanding
Root / Etymology
Composed of the preposition ἐκ ('out of, from') and the adverb πάλαι ('long ago, formerly, earlier'). This compound construction intensifies the sense of remoteness in time, stressing the source or origin as situated in the distant past.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Ἔκπαλαι appears in both earlier Greek literature and Koine sources, though the compound is relatively rare compared to the simple πάλαι. In classical and Hellenistic Greek, it emphasizes temporal remoteness, more strongly than πάλαι alone. In the Septuagint and New Testament, ἔκπαλαι typically marks actions, promises, or statuses as predating recent events or being rooted in foundational history. Standard English translations render it as 'long ago,' 'since ancient times,' or 'of old,' but these may miss the nuance of ongoing status or enduring effect that can be implied in some contexts. The word is distinguished from similar adverbs (e.g., ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς, 'from the beginning'), as ἔκπαλαι particularly evokes a sense of duration from very remote times, not just the absolute beginning of something, but a period considerably anterior to the present or to the time in focus.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐκ and πάλαι; long ago, for a long while:--of a long time, of old.
Root Family
ἔκπαλαι (ekpalai) — from long ago, since ancient times, from remote times
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1597-01 |
ἔκπαλαι | ekpalai | ADV |
of a long time | from long ago | from long ago | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1597-01 |
2 Peter 2:3 | ἔκπαλαι | ekpalai | ADV |
of a long time | from long ago | from long ago |
G1597-01 |
2 Peter 3:5 | ἔκπαλαι | ekpalai | ADV |
of old | from long ago | from long ago |