ἀκμήν
akmḗn
G188 adverb
SILEX Entry
Definition
An adverb meaning 'even now', 'still', 'yet at this very moment', emphasizing the persistence or continuation of an action or state up to the present time. Also used to indicate that a circumstance remains unchanged in the present, or to highlight temporal immediacy ('right now').
Semantic Range
still, yet, even now, at this very moment, right now
Root / Etymology
From ἀκμή (akmē), a noun meaning 'point', 'prime', or 'culmination', indicating the highest or latest point in a process. The adverbial use is developed from the accusative of the noun, expressing 'at the peak (moment)'. Cognate with the root ἀκμ- ('point').
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ἀκμήν is primarily used as an adverb to signal that something is happening 'right now', is 'still' the case, or that no change has yet occurred. It is more literary and less frequent than common Koine adverbs such as νῦν ('now') or ἔτι ('still, yet'), often providing stronger emphasis on immediacy or the critical moment. In the Septuagint and New Testament, ἀκμήν is rare, but when used, it retains its adverbial sense of present persistence. English translations often render it as 'yet', 'still', or 'even now', though these may not fully convey the sense of time-related emphasis and culmination. Distinct from ἔτι, which typically marks the continuation of an already mentioned state, ἀκμήν highlights the continued existence of a condition at a decisive moment. It does not carry theological nuance but can underscore narrative tension or urgency.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
accusative case of a noun ("acme") akin to (a point) and meaning the same; adverbially, just now, i.e. still:--yet.
Root Family
ἀκμήν (akmēn) — point, peak, culmination, present moment
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G188-01 |
ἀκμὴν | akmen | ADV |
yet | even now | even now | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G188-01 |
Matthew 15:16 | ἀκμὴν | akmen | ADV |
yet | even now | even now |