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χρόνος

chrónos

G5550 noun

SILEX Entry

Root χρόν- time, duration, interval

Definition

A period or span of time, typically understood as time in a general, quantitative, or measurable sense; denotes duration, intervals, or the passage of time as an extent rather than a specific moment or qualitative kind of time. In various contexts, it may refer to a stretch of time, a lifetime, or an era.

Semantic Range

span of time, measurable period, interval, duration, space of time, age, lifetime, season, era, passage of time

Root / Etymology

etymology uncertain. The term is attested in early Greek literature with similar meanings, but its ultimate derivation is unclear; not obviously related to other Greek roots for 'time.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

χρόνος is a core Greek term for 'time' used from classical through Hellenistic and into Koine Greek, including the Septuagint and the New Testament. It generally indicates time as measured quantitatively (e.g., hours, years, ages), in contrast to καιρός (kairos), which points to a qualitative, opportune, or 'appropriate' time. In classical Greek, χρόνος can mean both a definite period (such as a lifetime) and time in the abstract sense. In the Septuagint, it often translates Hebrew terms relating to time spans, duration, or chronological intervals, and this usage continues in the New Testament (e.g., Luke 4:25; Acts 1:7). English translations often render it as 'time,' 'period,' or 'season,' but the term does not imply the sense of a decisive moment as καιρός does, nor the cosmic/age sense often associated with αἰών (aiōn).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain derivation; a space of time (in general, and thus properly distinguished from καιρός, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from αἰών, which denotes a particular period) or interval; by extension, an individual opportunity; by implication, delay:--+ years old, season, space, (X often-)time(-s), (a) while.

Root Family

χρόνος (chronos) — time, duration, interval

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G5550-03 χρόνον chronon N ACC M SG time a span of time 34
G5550-04 χρόνος chronos N NOM M SG time a span of time 7
G5550-01 χρόνῳ chrono N DAT M SG time in a span of time 4
G5550-05 χρόνου chronou N GEN M SG time of a time span 4
G5550-06 χρόνους chronous N ACC M PL times spans of time 3
G5550-02 χρόνοις chronois N DAT M PL times in periods of time 2

Occurrences in Scripture

54 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G5550-03 Matthew 2:7 χρόνον chronon N ACC M SG time a span of time
G5550-03 Matthew 2:16 χρόνον chronon N ACC M SG time a span of time
G5550-03 Matthew 25:19 χρόνον chronon N ACC M SG a span of time
G5550-03 Mark 2:19 χρόνον chronon N ACC M SG time a span of time
G5550-04 Mark 9:21 χρόνος chronos N NOM M SG long a span of time
G5550-04 Luke 1:57 χρόνος chronos N NOM M SG time a span of time
G5550-05 Luke 4:5 χρόνου chronou N GEN M SG of time of a time span
G5550-01 Luke 8:27 χρόνῳ chrono N DAT M SG time in a span of time
G5550-02 Luke 8:29 χρόνοις chronois N DAT M PL times in periods of time
G5550-03 Luke 18:4 χρόνον chronon N ACC M SG a while a span of time
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