νῦν
nŷn
G3568 adverb
SILEX Entry
Definition
An adverb marking the present moment or current circumstances, i.e., 'now, at this time.' νῦν primarily denotes the time at which the speaker is speaking or at which an action is occurring, with possible nuances of immediacy, present relevance, or contrast with past or future times. In some cases, it can mark a logical transition (e.g., 'now, therefore'), or emphasize the present as distinct from other times.
Semantic Range
now, at this time, at present, presently, currently, at this very moment; transitional (so now, well now, therefore now); rarely: this present (as noun/adjective); in contrast to past or future times
Root / Etymology
Likely from the Proto-Indo-European deictic root *nu ('now, this'), related to Latin nunc and English now. Cognate with τανῦν and νυνί, which are intensified or lengthened forms used for emphasis or literary effect. Not derived from another Greek term but from a very ancient adverbial particle.
Historical & Contextual Notes
νῦν is an ancient Greek adverb appearing in classical, Hellenistic, and Koine Greek. Its core function is temporal, marking present or current circumstance; it rarely functions as a noun or adjective except in constructed expressions. In the Septuagint and New Testament, its use is consistent with earlier Greek: it can contrast 'now' with previous times or highlight urgent immediacy (e.g., νῦν δέ 'but now'). In discourse, νῦν sometimes marks a shift or conclusion, similar to English 'now then' or 'so now.' The New Testament use does not substantially differ in sense from earlier periods, but the frequency and placing can reflect Hebraic patterns of speech. Standard English translations ('now, at present, this time') generally capture the Greek sense but may not always express discourse/pragmatic nuances. Related terms τανῦν and νυνί reinforce the present time, often with more emphasis or literary color. While νῦν is sometimes glossed in context as 'henceforth' or 'hereafter' due to syntactical constructions, its core meaning always references present time.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primary particle of present time; "now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate:--henceforth, + hereafter, of late, soon, present, this (time). See also τανῦν, νυνί.
Root Family
νῦν (nyn) — now, at the present time, at this moment
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3568-01 |
νῦν | nun | ADV |
now | now | 148 |
G3568-02 |
νυνὶ | nuni | ADV |
now | right now | 20 |
Occurrences in Scripture
168 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3568-01 |
Matthew 24:21 | νῦν | nun | ADV |
now | |
G3568-01 |
Matthew 26:65 | νῦν | nun | ADV |
now | |
G3568-01 |
Matthew 27:42 | νῦν | nun | ADV |
now | |
G3568-01 |
Matthew 27:43 | νῦν | nun | ADV |
now | |
G3568-01 |
Mark 10:30 | νῦν | nun | ADV |
now | now |
G3568-01 |
Mark 13:19 | νῦν | nun | ADV |
now | now |
G3568-01 |
Mark 15:32 | νῦν | nun | ADV |
now | now |
G3568-01 |
Luke 1:48 | νῦν | nun | ADV |
now | now |
G3568-01 |
Luke 2:29 | νῦν | nun | ADV |
Now | now |
G3568-01 |
Luke 5:10 | νῦν | nun | ADV |
now | now |