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ἑκών

hekṓn

G1635 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Willing, acting with one's own consent or purpose; refers primarily to one who does something intentionally or deliberately, in contrast to accidentally or under compulsion. Contextually can indicate readiness or eagerness to act of one's own accord, or the voluntary nature of an act.

Semantic Range

willing; acting deliberately; acting intentionally; of one's own accord; voluntary; done with consent; not accidental or under compulsion

Root / Etymology

Of uncertain etymology; not securely connected to an identifiable Greek verb or noun root. Possibly related to old forms of θέλω (to wish, will), but connection is not secure. Etymology uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ἑκών appears in both classical and Koine Greek to mark the distinction between voluntary and involuntary actions. In classical sources (e.g. Homer, Plato), it frequently signals action done with awareness, intent, or consent—as opposed to ἄκων, 'unwilling' or 'involuntary.' In the Septuagint and New Testament, it maintains this basic sense, often in contexts of moral responsibility (e.g., Hebrews 10:26; 1 Peter 5:2), marking a deed as deliberate, not compelled. Standard English translations often render it as 'willingly' or 'of one's own accord,' but these flatten the possible legal and ethical nuances which in Greek might imply full agency or even culpability for a chosen action. Related terms: ἑκούσιος (voluntary, deliberate) and ἄκων (unwilling, compelled, accidental), which function as opposites. Unlike words like πρόθυμος (eager, ready), ἑκών emphasizes will and non-compulsion rather than emotional readiness.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain affinity; voluntary:--willingly.

Root Family

ἑκών (hekōn) — to will, to choose, to be deliberate

Root uncertain to will, to choose, to be deliberate

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1635-01 ἑκὼν ekon ADJ.S NOM M SG willingly willing one willingly 1
G1635-02 ἑκοῦσα ekousa ADJ.S NOM F SG willingly I heard willingly 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1635-02 Romans 8:20 ἑκοῦσα ekousa ADJ.S NOM F SG willingly I heard willingly
G1635-01 1 Corinthians 9:17 ἑκὼν ekon ADJ.S NOM M SG willingly willing one willingly
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