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ὀκνέω

oknéō

G3635 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To delay or hesitate, especially due to reluctance or apprehension. The primary sense is to hold back from action, whether out of fear, uncertainty, or unwillingness. In some contexts, it can also mean to shrink back or be unwilling to proceed.

Semantic Range

to hesitate, to delay, to hold back, to be unwilling, to shrink from, to have apprehension

Root / Etymology

Related to the root ὀκν- (okn-), which conveys the idea of hesitation or reluctance. It is cognate with the noun ὄκνος ('hesitation,' 'reluctance,' 'fear') and the adjective ὀκνυς ('slow, hesitant'). The ultimate Indo-European root is uncertain, but the Greek stem indicates a semantic field relating to hesitation or fear.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ὀκνέω is rare in classical literature but does appear in authors such as Herodotus and Euripides, typically carrying the sense of hesitating due to fear or moral reluctance. In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, including the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 21:29), it retains the meaning of holding back, being unwilling, or hesitating. The Septuagint uses related words to translate Hebrew terms about reluctance or dread (e.g., חָפֵץ or מֵאֵן). English Bible translations often render it as 'refuse,' 'decline,' or 'be unwilling,' which may fail to capture the nuance of inward hesitation. Compare to βραδύνω ('to be slow'), which emphasizes slowness of action rather than inward reluctance.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from (hesitation); to be slow (figuratively, loath):--delay.

Root Family

ὀκνέω (okneō) — to hesitate, to delay, to be reluctant

Root ὀκν- to hesitate, to delay, to be reluctant

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3635-01 ὀκνήσῃς okneses V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P SG delay you might hesitate you might delay 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3635-01 Acts 9:38 ὀκνήσῃς okneses V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P SG delay you might hesitate you might delay
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