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μακρόθεν

makróthen

G3113 adverb

SILEX Entry

Definition

At or from a distance; as an adverb, describing the action or state of being far away or at a remove from a point of reference. The primary lexical meaning is spatial remoteness, whether literal (physical distance) or figurative (metaphorical separation), and it can indicate observation, approach, or reaction from a position that is not near the object or person in question.

Semantic Range

from a (great) distance, from afar, seen or acting from afar, at a distance, standing far off

Root / Etymology

Derived from the adjective μακρός ('long, large, far') with the suffix -θεν, which denotes origin or movement from a place (similar to 'from' or 'away from' in English). The formation μακρόθεν thus literally means 'from a far place,' or 'from afar.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Koine Greek, μακρόθεν typically refers to being physically distant, as in standing or coming from a far-off place. In the Septuagint and New Testament, it is often used for narrating or highlighting the spatial perspective of individuals—such as onlookers or followers who observe or address someone from a safe or respectful distance. The term can also be used metaphorically for emotional or social distance, but the core sense remains spatial. English translations often render it as 'afar off,' 'from a distance,' or 'from far away,' which generally captures the primary sense, though nuances—such as relational or respectful separation—can sometimes be obscured in translation. The word is especially frequent where narrative attention is given to the proximity or movement of persons relative to focal events, e.g., observers at a crucifixion viewing from afar. Related adverbs, such as πόρρωθεν (porrōthen), also convey distance but lack the direct link to μακρός ('long' or 'great' in extent). μακρόθεν is strongly spatial and does not intrinsically convey emotional longing or estrangement unless the context supplies it.

Translation Consistency

primary "afar" 14 occurrences

Matches the SILEX sense of spatial or figurative remoteness; succinct, natural Bible-style English and already appears across the P2 renderings (14×). ‘Afar’ conveys both literal distance and metaphorical separation and can be applied uniformly to all forms of μακρόθεν.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

adverb from μακρός; from a distance or afar:--afar off, from far.

Root Family

μακρ- (makrán) — long, far, distant

Root μακρ- long, far, distant
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G3112 μακράν far away
G3117 μακρός far away

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3113-01 μακρόθεν makrothen ADV afar from afar from afar 14

Occurrences in Scripture

14 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3113-01 Matthew 26:58 μακρόθεν makrothen ADV a distance from afar from afar
G3113-01 Matthew 27:55 μακρόθεν makrothen ADV afar off from afar from afar
G3113-01 Mark 5:6 μακρόθεν makrothen ADV afar from afar from afar
G3113-01 Mark 8:3 μακρόθεν makrothen ADV far from afar from afar
G3113-01 Mark 11:13 μακρόθεν makrothen ADV afar from afar from afar
G3113-01 Mark 14:54 μακρόθεν makrothen ADV afar from afar from afar
G3113-01 Mark 15:40 μακρόθεν makrothen ADV afar from afar from afar
G3113-01 Luke 16:23 μακρόθεν makrothen ADV afar from afar from afar
G3113-01 Luke 18:13 μακρόθεν makrothen ADV afar off from afar from afar
G3113-01 Luke 22:54 μακρόθεν makrothen ADV at a distance from afar from afar
G3113-01 Luke 23:49 μακρόθεν makrothen ADV afar from afar from afar
G3113-01 Revelation 18:10 μακρόθεν makrothen ADV afar off from afar from afar
G3113-01 Revelation 18:15 μακρόθεν makrothen ADV off from afar from afar
G3113-01 Revelation 18:17 μακρόθεν makrothen ADV far off from afar from afar
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