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ἀπαρχή

aparchḗ

G536 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

The initial portion of produce, offering, or harvest set aside as a representative or consecrated 'first' part; by extension, that which is regarded as a symbolic or dedicated first example, whether of goods, persons, or other entities. In most contexts, refers specifically to the portion of agricultural yield given as a dedication to a deity or authority—most notably, in Israelite or Judean practice, what was offered from the initial yield to God or the temple. The term can also be used figuratively to denote an exemplary or initiating member of a group or process, such as the 'first of a new order' or the 'forerunner' in a movement or occurrence.

Semantic Range

first portion of the harvest, first-offering, initial consecrated gift, representative first example, inaugural member or event, pioneering individual, dedicated first-principle

Root / Etymology

From ἀπό (from, away) + ἀρχή (beginning, origin), indicating the initial portion or the starting piece of something; hence, 'from the beginning' or 'that which comes first'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, ἀπαρχή was used broadly for the first portion or first offering of any harvest, not limited to a specific ethnic or religious group. In Jewish and Judean contexts, especially in the Septuagint and Hellenistic literature, it refers to the ritual first-fruits mandated in Mosaic law (cf. Exodus 23:19, Leviticus 23:10; LXX: ἀπαρχή), typically presented to the temple as consecrated produce. In the New Testament, the term also acquires metaphorical senses, describing persons or groups as the 'first-fruits' of a larger entity or eschatological fulfillment (e.g., Romans 8:23, 1 Corinthians 15:20), emphasizing precedence, representativeness, and dedication. English translations often use 'firstfruits' or 'first-fruits,' but these can obscure the breadth of metaphorical use in Hellenistic and Pauline writings, where ἀπαρχή can describe individuals or events inaugurating a new phase rather than literal produce. The concept is distinct from δεκατή (tithe), which is a fixed proportion rather than the 'initial offering.' Related but not identical is the philosophical use of ἀρχή as 'principle' or 'origin,' which informs the sense of ἀπαρχή as both the 'first part' and, by extension, a representative or initiator.

Translation Consistency

primary "firstfruits" 9 occurrences

“Firstfruits” is the standard, natural English biblical term for aparchē covering both the literal initial portion of a harvest offered or dedicated and the extended/figurative sense of an inaugural or representative first member. It is concise, widely recognized in translations, and fits the typical usage reflected in the SILEX definition.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a compound of ἀπό and ἄρχομαι; a beginning of sacrifice, i.e. the (Jewish) first-fruit (figuratively):--first-fruits.

Root Family

ἀπαρχή (aparchē) — beginning, first portion, consecrated first-offering

Root ἀρχ- beginning, first, to offer the first portion

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G536-01 ἀπαρχὴ aparche N NOM F SG firstfruits first-offering portion firstfruits portion 6
G536-02 ἀπαρχὴν aparchen N ACC F SG firstfruits first-offering the firstfruits 3

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G536-02 Romans 8:23 ἀπαρχὴν aparchen N ACC F SG firstfruits first-offering the firstfruits
G536-01 Romans 11:16 ἀπαρχὴ aparche N NOM F SG firstfruit first-offering portion firstfruits portion
G536-01 Romans 16:5 ἀπαρχὴ aparche N NOM F SG first convert first-offering portion firstfruits portion
G536-01 1 Corinthians 15:20 ἀπαρχὴ aparche N NOM F SG firstfruits first-offering portion firstfruits portion
G536-01 1 Corinthians 15:23 ἀπαρχὴ aparche N NOM F SG firstfruits first-offering portion firstfruits portion
G536-01 1 Corinthians 16:15 ἀπαρχὴ aparche N NOM F SG firstfruits first-offering portion firstfruits portion
G536-02 2 Thessalonians 2:13 ἀπαρχὴν aparchen N ACC F SG firstfruits first-offering the firstfruits
G536-02 James 1:18 ἀπαρχήν aparchen N ACC F SG a kind of firstfruits first-offering the firstfruits
G536-01 Revelation 14:4 ἀπαρχὴ aparche N NOM F SG firstfruits first-offering portion firstfruits portion
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