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ἔξωθεν

éxōthen

G1855 adverb

SILEX Entry

Definition

From the outside, pertaining to or originating from a position exterior to a given reference point. Commonly used to indicate spatial separation—the state of being outside a physical boundary or enclosure. In extended or metaphorical usage, denotes something exterior to one’s self or to a group, including external actions, appearances, or influences.

Semantic Range

from outside, outwards, externally, originating from the outside, external appearance, from an external location or position

Root / Etymology

From ἔξω (outside, without) plus the adverbial suffix -θεν, indicating origin or direction from a place. Cognate with related adverbs formed from prepositional bases and directional suffixes in Greek.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ἔξωθεν is used from classical Greek onward as an adverb and, less commonly, as a preposition meaning 'from the outside' or 'outside.' In the New Testament and Hellenistic literature, it frequently denotes physical exteriority (e.g., outside a building, city, or group) and conveys the distinction between internal and external aspects (applying not just spatially, but also to such contrasts as outward appearance versus inner reality). Contexts in the Septuagint and NT may contrast ἔξωθεν with ἔσωθεν (within, from the inside) to mark boundaries of participation, purity, or status. Later English translations sometimes render it simplistically as 'outside' or 'outwardly,' which can miss its contextual sense of origin (from the outside in) or the nuanced contrast with internal identity or reality. There is overlap with other terms (ἔξω, ἐκτός) but ἔξωθεν consistently emphasizes provenance or movement from an external location or status. While in English versions it may appear as 'from without' or 'externally,' awareness of its background clarifies its usage across spatial, social, and metaphorical fields.

Translation Consistency

primary "outside" 12 occurrences

'Outside' is the most natural and commonly used English rendering of ἔξωθεν, matching its primary spatial sense (‘from outside’, ‘outwards’) and easily handling extended/metaphorical uses (external origin/appearance). It is also by far the most frequent choice in the P2 data, so it ensures consistent, natural-sounding translation across all occurrences.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἔξω; external(-ly):--out(-side, -ward, - wardly), (from) without.

Root Family

ἔξωθεν (exōthen) — outside, exterior, from without

Root ἔξω- outside, exterior, from without

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1855-01 ἔξωθεν exothen ADV outside from outside from outside 12

Occurrences in Scripture

12 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1855-01 Matthew 23:25 ἔξωθεν exothen ADV outside from outside outside
G1855-01 Matthew 23:27 ἔξωθεν exothen ADV outside from outside from outside
G1855-01 Matthew 23:28 ἔξωθεν exothen ADV outwardly from outside from outside
G1855-01 Mark 7:15 ἔξωθεν exothen PREP GEN from outside from outside from outside
G1855-01 Mark 7:18 ἔξωθεν exothen ADV from outside from outside from outside
G1855-01 Luke 11:39 ἔξωθεν exothen ADV outside from outside outside
G1855-01 Luke 11:40 ἔξωθεν exothen ADV outside from outside outside
G1855-01 2 Corinthians 7:5 ἔξωθεν exothen ADV without from outside from outside
G1855-01 1 Timothy 3:7 ἔξωθεν exothen ADV outside from outside outside
G1855-01 1 Peter 3:3 ἔξωθεν exothen ADV external from outside from outside
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