ἐκτένεια
ekténeia
G1616 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
State or quality of being earnest, fervent, or persistent; denotes intensity or perseverance, especially in actions like prayer or effort. It conveys the idea of an unremitting, committed, and continuous attitude, with emphasis on emotional or volitional intensity directed toward a specific engagement.
Semantic Range
earnestness, fervor, persistence, perseverance, intensity, unremitting effort, continuous devotion
Root / Etymology
From the adjective ἐκτενής (ektenēs, 'stretched out', 'earnest', 'fervent', 'unceasing') plus the nominal suffix -εια (-eia) forming abstract nouns indicating state or quality. Ultimately from ἐκτείνω ('to stretch out').
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Koine Greek, particularly in later prose (such as Acts 12:5), ἐκτένεια describes perseverance or ardor, especially in prayer, indicating prolonged and earnest activity. The term is rare in earlier Greek literature; its use is notably intensified in Hellenistic Jewish and early Christian texts to signal continuous or fervid engagement, often with a positive devotional connotation. English versions sometimes translate it as 'earnestness' or 'intense devotion'. The sense of duration and intensity is present both in emotional attitude and practice (e.g., unceasing prayer), and is stronger than generic terms for perseverance. The expanded sense of 'instantly' or 'immediately' as found in some English translations is secondary and not intrinsic to the word; the focus is on intensity and constancy, not temporal immediacy.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐκτενής; intentness:--X instantly.
Root Family
ἐκτένεια (ekténeia) — earnestness, fervor, persistence, intensity, unremitting devotion
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1616-01 |
ἐκτενείᾳ | ekteneia | N DAT F SG |
earnestness | in earnest persistence | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1616-01 |
Acts 26:7 | ἐκτενείᾳ | ekteneia | N DAT F SG |
earnestness | in earnest persistence |