### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
ekeîthen (G1564) is an adverb of place, signifying movement or origin "from that place" or "thence." It is directly derived from the demonstrative adverb ekeî `{{G1563}}`, meaning "there" or "in that place." Thus, ekeîthen precisely denotes the point of departure from a previously mentioned or understood location. Its semantic range is tightly focused on spatial origin, indicating the "whence" of an action or entity. While primarily geographical, it can occasionally imply a sequential origin, where one event or state proceeds "from" a preceding one, though its fundamental meaning remains rooted in physical location.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word ekeîthen appears frequently throughout the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels and Acts, serving as a crucial narrative device to track the movements of individuals and groups. Its usage consistently highlights the progression of events and the geographical unfolding of the biblical story.
* **Jesus's Ministry:** ekeîthen often marks Jesus's transitions between towns and regions, signifying the itinerancy of His ministry. For example, after calling disciples, Jesus "went on from thence" ([[Matthew 4:21]]) or after healing, He "passed on from thence" ([[Matthew 9:27]]). Similarly, [[Mark 1:29]] states that "when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John," implying their departure "from thence" (from the synagogue). These movements are not random but often precede or follow significant teachings, miracles, or confrontations, underscoring the dynamic nature of His mission.
* **Apostolic Journeys:** In the book of Acts, ekeîthen is instrumental in charting the missionary journeys of the apostles. Paul and Barnabas, for instance, "departed from Perga" ([[Acts 13:14]]) and sailed "thence to Antioch" ([[Acts 14:26]]). Paul also journeyed "thence by land to Assos" ([[Acts 20:13]]). These uses emphasize the strategic and divinely guided expansion of the early church across the Roman world.
* **General Movement:** The word also describes more general movements, such as the return of an unclean spirit to its former dwelling "whence I came out" ([[Luke 11:24]]), or the location of the crucifixion "where they crucified him" ([[John 19:18]]), with ekeîthen implicitly referring to the place from which the action of crucifixion proceeded.
In every instance, the context clearly defines the specific "that place" from which the movement originates, making ekeîthen a simple yet indispensable adverb for establishing narrative flow and geographical precision in the biblical accounts.
### Related Words & Concepts
* ekeî `{{G1563}}`: The foundational word, meaning "there" or "in that place." ekeîthen builds upon this, specifying movement *from* that designated location.
* hóthen `{{G3606}}`: An adverb meaning "whence" or "from where." While similar in meaning to ekeîthen, hóthen is often used in a more relative or interrogative sense ("from *where* it came"), whereas ekeîthen is more demonstrative ("from *that* specific place").
* póthen `{{G4227}}`: An interrogative adverb, "from where?" or "whence?" usually in a question.
* énthen `{{G1749}}`: "From here," "from this place," serving as the direct opposite of ekeîthen.
* The concept of "journeying" or "departure" is intrinsically linked to ekeîthen. Verbs of motion such as érchomai `{{G2064}}` (to come/go) and poreúomai `{{G4198}}` (to journey) frequently accompany ekeîthen, highlighting the active movement described.
### Theological Significance
While ekeîthen is a humble adverb of place, lacking inherent theological weight, its consistent usage frames and facilitates the recounting of events with profound theological implications.
* **The Dynamic Nature of God's Plan:** The frequent use of ekeîthen underscores the dynamic, unfolding nature of God's redemptive plan. The movements of Jesus "from thence" signify the active progression of His ministry, the deliberate spread of the Gospel, and His intentional engagement with diverse peoples and situations. God's work is not static but unfolds progressively across space and time.
* **Incarnational Reality:** The geographical specificity conveyed by ekeîthen reinforces the incarnational reality of God's presence in human history. Jesus, as God incarnate, moved through real places, interacting with real people, and initiating the kingdom of God in concrete, tangible ways. His departures "from that place" demonstrate His active participation in the human experience.
* **Missionary Imperative:** In Acts, ekeîthen highlights the divine impetus behind the missionary expansion of the early church. The apostles' journeys "from that place" to new territories illustrate the Great Commission in action, carrying the message of salvation outwards from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. The geographical progression is a tangible manifestation of the Spirit's leading and the church's obedience.
### Summary
ekeîthen (G1564) is a precise adverb meaning "from that place" or "thence," derived from ekeî `{{G1563}}` ("there"). Its primary function in the New Testament is to denote the point of departure in narrative accounts, meticulously tracking the movements of Jesus and His disciples. While semantically straightforward, its recurring presence is crucial for understanding the geographical and chronological progression of biblical events. Theologically, ekeîthen subtly underscores the dynamic, incarnational nature of God's work, revealing a divine plan that unfolds actively across specific locations and through human history, particularly in the spread of the Gospel by Jesus and the early church.
TRV