ὁπότε
hopóte
G3698
SILEX Entry
Definition
A conjunction indicating indefinite or general reference to a point in time: at whatever time, whenever, when. It functions to introduce a temporal clause, expressing either uncertainty or generality regarding the specific occasion or repeated occurrence of an event. In various contexts, it can refer to any time something happens, or every time it happens.
Semantic Range
whenever, at whatever time, as often as, when (with an indefinite sense), each time that
Root / Etymology
Formed from the relative pronoun ὅς ('who, which, that') and the particle ποτε (indicating indefiniteness or generality, 'at any time, ever'), thus literally 'at whatever time.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
ὁπότε appears in both Classical and Koine Greek as a relative indefinite temporal conjunction, denoting 'whenever' or 'at whatever time.' In the Septuagint and the New Testament, it most commonly introduces subordinate temporal clauses of indefinite or general reference, often contrasting with more specific temporal conjunctions such as ὅτε ('when' in a definite sense) or ὅταν (which is a subjunctive form indicating possible or repeated time in the future). English translations most often render ὁπότε as 'whenever' or 'when,' but the nuance of indefiniteness or reiteration is not always fully captured. Its use is most common in narrative, proverbial, or didactic contexts, emphasizing any and every time an event occurs rather than a single, explicitly defined occasion.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ὅς and ποτέ; what(-ever) then, i.e. (of time) as soon as:--when.
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 total occurrences
No occurrences found.