ταχύς
tachýs
G5036 predicate adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Quick in motion or action; moving rapidly or occurring with little delay. In direct usage, indicates speed or swiftness (e.g., a swift runner); in figurative contexts, denotes promptness, readiness, or immediacy (e.g., quick to act, soon to occur). The primary sense is of speed (in physical or temporal sense), extending to promptness in action or response.
Semantic Range
swift in movement, quick in action, prompt, ready, soon, immediate, without delay
Root / Etymology
etymology uncertain. Possibly related to τάχος (tachos, 'speed') but there is no firmly attested root or cognate explaining its formation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ταχύς is attested from classical Greek onward, retaining the basic meaning of 'swift' or 'quick.' In the Septuagint and New Testament, it appears in literal senses (e.g., someone moving rapidly) and more often in figurative or temporal senses (e.g., 'soon,' 'promptly,' or 'readily'). Use in Hellenistic and Koine contexts tends to extend from physical quickness to metaphorical promptness or immediacy. English translations rendering it as 'swift,' 'quick,' or 'soon' capture core meanings but can obscure nuances—particularly the sense of 'readiness' or lack of delay. Related adjectives (e.g. ταχύς vs. ὠκύς 'fleet') carry slightly different associations, with ταχύς often bearing more figurative or abstract connotations in later Greek. The word is not limited to physical movement but includes time and quality of response. No direct lexical association with specific social or religious terminology.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of uncertain affinity; fleet, i.e. (figuratively) prompt or ready:--swift.
Root Family
ταχύς (tachys) — swift, quick, prompt
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G5035 | ταχύ | swiftly |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5036-01 |
ταχὺς | tachus | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
swift | swift (masculine singular) | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5036-01 |
James 1:19 | ταχὺς | tachus | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
swift | swift (masculine singular) |