πεντήκοντα (G4004) — Greek Lexicon

πεντήκοντα

pentḗkonta

G4004 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

The numeral for fifty; denoting the quantity 50. In various contexts, πεντήκοντα is used in simple enumeration, measurements, time periods, and in reference to groupings of fifty.

Semantic Range

fifty (the number), group of fifty, fiftyfold, period of fifty (days, years, etc.)

Root / Etymology

Derived from πέντε (five) with the addition of the -κοντα suffix marking multiples of ten in Greek numerals; literally, 'five tens' or 'fifty'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

πεντήκοντα is the standard Greek term for the cardinal number fifty from the classical period forward. Attested in Homer and throughout classical literature, it is used in literal numerical statements as well as in formulas (e.g., fifty days, fifty years, groups of fifty people). In the Septuagint, it often translates Hebrew numerical expressions (e.g., חֲמִשִּׁים), frequently referring to quantities, ages, and ritual or spatial measurements. In the New Testament, πεντήκοντα appears in enumerations and temporal statements, such as in reference to the time span of 'fifty days' (notably connected with the Feast of Pentecost, πεντηκοστή, i.e., the fiftieth day), but remains a simple numeral. English translations typically and accurately render it as 'fifty,' but contextual meaning is always strictly numerical, without specialized metaphorical senses in the literature of the period.

Translation Consistency

primary "fifty" 7 occurrences

πεντήκοντα is a straightforward numeral meaning 50 and is most naturally rendered in English as “fifty.” This single word covers the primary senses listed in SILEX—the number itself, a group of fifty, fiftyfold, or a period of fifty (days, years, etc.)—and matches the consistent usage found in the P2 renderings.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

multiplicative of πέντε; fifty:--fifty.

Root Family

πεντ- (pentákis) — five, multiply by five, occur five times

Root πεντ- five, count by tens

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
G3999	πεντάκις	five times
G4002	πέντε	five

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G4004-01`	πεντήκοντα	pentekonta	`ADJ.S ACC M PL`	fifty	fifty	fifty	7

Occurrences in Scripture

7 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G4004-01`	Mark 6:40	πεντήκοντα	pentekonta	`ADJ.S ACC M PL`	fifties	fifty	fifty
`G4004-01`	Luke 7:41	πεντήκοντα	pentekonta	`ADJ.S ACC N PL`	fifty	fifty	fifty
`G4004-01`	Luke 9:14	πεντήκοντα	pentekonta	`ADJ.S ACC M PL`	fifty	fifty	fifty
`G4004-01`	Luke 16:6	πεντήκοντα	pentekonta	`ADJ.S ACC M PL`	fifty	fifty	fifty
`G4004-01`	John 8:57	πεντήκοντα	pentekonta	`DET ACC N PL`	fifty	fifty	fifty
`G4004-01`	John 21:11	πεντήκοντα	pentekonta	`ADJ.A GEN M PL`	fifty	fifty	fifty
`G4004-01`	Acts 13:20	πεντήκοντα	pentekonta	`DET DAT N PL`	fifty	fifty	fifty

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