τάχιστα
táchista
G5033 adverb
SILEX Entry
Definition
Most quickly; with the greatest speed. As the superlative adverbial form of ταχύς, τάχιστα expresses the highest degree of rapidity, standing for doing something in the shortest possible time or with utmost haste. In contexts where it is used with ὡς (ὡς τάχιστα), it signifies 'as quickly as possible' or 'without delay.'
Semantic Range
most quickly, at the greatest speed, with all haste, as soon as possible, without delay
Root / Etymology
Derived from the adjective ταχύς ('quick, swift, fast') via the superlative form (τάχιστος, -η, -ον) in the neuter plural accusative/adverbial use. The underlying Indo-European root is *tak- ('to move swiftly').
Historical & Contextual Notes
The form τάχιστα occurs adverbially in both classical and Koine Greek usage, often in imperatives, exhortations, or instructions when urging immediate action. The construction ὡς τάχιστα is idiomatic and appears with the meaning 'as soon as possible' or 'with all speed,' commonly found in military, administrative, or epistolary contexts. In the Septuagint and New Testament, τάχιστα often signals urgency and promptness. Standard English translations render the idiom adequately with expressions like 'immediately,' 'without delay,' or 'as soon as possible,' but may not always capture the superlative intensity of the Greek. The form differs from ταχέως ('quickly'), which is the comparative or plain adverb, by emphasizing the utmost degree. τάχιστα is attested from classical Greek (e.g., Herodotus) through Hellenistic, and into Byzantine Greek in similar senses.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
neuter plural of the superlative of ταχύς (as adverb); most quickly, i.e. (with ὡς prefixed) as soon as possible:--+ with all speed.
Root Family
τάχιστα (táchista) — to be swift, to be quick, to hasten
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5033-01 |
τάχιστα | tachista | ADV SUPL |
quickly | most swiftly | most swiftly | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5033-01 |
Acts 17:15 | τάχιστα | tachista | ADV SUPL |
quickly | most swiftly | most swiftly |