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πολλάκις

pollákis

G4178 adverb

SILEX Entry

Definition

Often, many times; indicates repeated or frequent occurrence of an action or event. Used as an adverb to qualify verbs meaning the action has happened on multiple occasions, with a nuance of regularity or habitualness in some contexts. Secondary usages may emphasize recurrence as opposed to singularity.

Semantic Range

often, many times, repeatedly, frequently, on multiple occasions, again and again, at various times

Root / Etymology

From the root πολυ- ('much, many') plus the adverbial suffix -ακις, which forms adverbs indicating repetition or frequency. The construction parallels other Greek adverbs built with -ακις.

Historical & Contextual Notes

πολλάκις appears in Classical, Hellenistic, and Koine Greek to indicate repetition or recurrence, frequently translating Hebrew and Aramaic expressions for 'often' or 'many times' in the Septuagint. In the New Testament, it modifies verbs to convey frequent or habitual action (e.g., Mark 9:18, 'it has often thrown him into fire'). The meaning is consistent across periods, but nuance may vary with context: it may mean 'at various times,' 'again and again,' or 'regularly.' English translations as 'often' or 'many times' typically capture the sense, though the Greek may more strongly imply habitual or regular recurrence than some English renderings suggest. The term does not carry any specialized religious or theological connotations and remains within standard temporal or aspectual adverbial usage. Contrasts with ἅπαξ ('once') and σπάνιως ('seldom').

Translation Consistency

primary "often" 18 occurrences

pollákis is an adverb of frequency meaning repeated or frequent occurrence. "Often" is the most natural, accurate single-word rendering that preserves the typical sense (frequently/repeatedly) and works consistently across all forms; "many" is an adjective and would be misleading.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

multiplicative adverb from πολύς; many times, i.e. frequently:--oft(-en, -entimes, -times).

Root Family

πολ(υ)- (pollákis) — many, much, frequent, repeated

Root πολ(υ)- many, much, frequent, repeated

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4178-01 πολλάκις pollakis ADV often many times often 18

Occurrences in Scripture

18 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4178-01 Matthew 17:15 πολλάκις pollakis ADV oftentimes many times often
G4178-01 Matthew 17:15 πολλάκις pollakis-2 ADV oft many times often
G4178-01 Mark 5:4 πολλάκις pollakis ADV often many times often
G4178-01 Mark 9:22 πολλάκις pollakis ADV ofttimes many times often
G4178-01 John 18:2 πολλάκις pollakis ADV often many times often
G4178-01 Acts 26:11 πολλάκις pollakis ADV often many times often
G4178-01 Romans 1:13 πολλάκις pollakis ADV often many times often
G4178-01 2 Corinthians 8:22 πολλάκις pollakis ADV often/oftentimes many times often
G4178-01 2 Corinthians 11:23 πολλάκις pollakis ADV often many times often
G4178-01 2 Corinthians 11:26 πολλάκις pollakis ADV often many times often
G4178-01 2 Corinthians 11:27 πολλάκις pollakis ADV often many times often
G4178-01 2 Corinthians 11:27 πολλάκις pollakis-2 ADV often many times often
G4178-01 Philippians 3:18 πολλάκις pollakis ADV often many times often
G4178-01 2 Timothy 1:16 πολλάκις pollakis ADV often many times often
G4178-01 Hebrews 6:7 πολλάκις pollakis ADV often many times often
G4178-01 Hebrews 9:25 πολλάκις pollakis ADV often many times often
G4178-01 Hebrews 9:26 πολλάκις pollakis ADV many-times many times often
G4178-01 Hebrews 10:11 πολλάκις pollakis ADV often many times often
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