νυνί
nyní
G3570
SILEX Entry
Definition
An emphatic adverb meaning 'now' or 'at this very moment,' used to stress the present time as distinct from past or future, often with special focus or contrast. It can indicate 'right now,' 'at this point,' or 'in the present (as opposed to previously or subsequently),' serving to sharpen or intensify the immediacy of an assertion or situation.
Semantic Range
now, at this very moment, right now (with emphasis), at present (with heightened immediacy or contrast), just now
Root / Etymology
Formed from νῦν ('now') with the addition of the particle -ι, lengthening or intensifying the adverb for emphasis. Likely a dialectal or poetic variant developed to mark contrast or prominence of the present moment. Ancient grammarians sometimes note the ending as emphatic.
Historical & Contextual Notes
νυνί appears in classical, Hellenistic, and Koine Greek primarily to add emphasis to statements concerning the present. While νῦν serves as the standard 'now,' νυνί functions as an emphatic alternative, frequently used where marking the immediacy or contrast of the current moment is important. In the Septuagint and New Testament, it strengthens the assertion of current reality, e.g., 'but now' (ὑμεῖς δὲ νυνί...), highlighting a turn or change in circumstance. English translations often simply render both νῦν and νυνί as 'now,' although the heightened emphasis of νυνί is sometimes missed. Contrast with τότε ('then') and πριν ('before'), which refer to other temporal situations. The distinction between νῦν and νυνί recedes in later Greek, with the latter becoming less common.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a prolonged form of νῦν for emphasis; just now:--now.
Root Family
νυν- (nŷn) — now, at the present time, at this moment
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G3568 | νῦν | now |
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 occurrences
No occurrences found.