### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word κἀκεῖθεν (kakeîthen, `{{G2547}}`) is a compound adverb formed from the conjunction καί (kai, `{{G2532}}`), meaning "and" or "also," and the adverb ἐκεῖθεν (ekeîthen, `{{G1564}}`), meaning "from that place" or "thence." Thus, its core meaning is "and from there," "and thence," or "and from that point." This compound serves to indicate a continuation or transition, either geographically from a previously mentioned location or temporally from a specific moment or event. It functions as a narrative connector, signaling a subsequent action or development originating from a preceding context. Its semantic range primarily covers spatial and temporal progression, often denoting the next step in a sequence of events or movements.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
κἀκεῖθεν (kakeîthen, `{{G2547}}`) appears frequently in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospel narratives and the book of Acts, where it plays a crucial role in charting the movements of Jesus and the early apostles.
In the Gospels, it often marks geographical transitions in Jesus' ministry:
* [[Mark 1:21]]: "And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught." Here, it signifies the immediate next location after leaving the previous one.
* [[Mark 6:1]]: "And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him." It denotes Jesus' return to Nazareth from a prior location.
In [[Luke 11:53]], the usage is more temporal or consequential: "And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things." Here, "from there" or "from that point" refers to the immediate aftermath of Jesus' discourse, indicating the direct and intense reaction that followed.
In the book of Acts, κἀκεῖθεν (kakeîthen, `{{G2547}}`) is a recurring feature in the missionary travelogues, underscoring the dynamic and expansive nature of the early church's spread:
* [[Acts 13:4]]: "So, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, they departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus." This marks a key geographical step in Paul's first missionary journey.
* [[Acts 14:26]]: "And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled." It highlights the return journey and the completion of a significant phase of ministry.
* [[Acts 16:11]], [[Acts 17:13]], [[Acts 18:7]], [[Acts 20:13]], [[Acts 21:1]], [[Acts 27:4]], [[Acts 28:13]] all use κἀκεῖθεν (kakeîthen, `{{G2547}}`) to delineate the sequential stages of travel, emphasizing the continuous movement of the apostles as they propagated the gospel. The consistent use of this adverb paints a picture of deliberate, divinely guided progression.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is ἐκεῖθεν (ekeîthen, `{{G1564}}`), the base adverb meaning "from that place," to which καί (kai, `{{G2532}}`) is prefixed. Other related adverbs of place include ἐκεῖ (ekeî, `{{G1563}}`), "there"; ὅθεν (hothen, `{{G3606}}`), "from where, whence," which can also imply cause; and ἔνθεν (enthen, `{{G1782}}`), "from here, hence." While these words share the function of indicating origin or location, κἀκεῖθεν (kakeîthen, `{{G2547}}`) specifically emphasizes a *consecutive* movement or action from a previously established point. The concept it embodies is one of narrative progression, sequential events, and geographical unfolding, often in the context of journey or mission.
### Theological Significance
While κἀκεῖθεν (kakeîthen, `{{G2547}}`) is primarily a functional adverb of transition, its pervasive use in the narratives of Jesus' ministry and the early church's expansion carries subtle yet profound theological significance. It underscores the *orderly and intentional* nature of God's redemptive plan as it unfolds in space and time. Each "and from there" marks a deliberate step in the geographical spread of the gospel, reflecting divine guidance and purpose in the movements of Jesus and His apostles. It illustrates that the Kingdom of God does not spread randomly but through purposeful, sequential steps, guided by the Holy Spirit. In the context of Acts, it highlights the dynamic and unstoppable momentum of the early Christian mission, demonstrating how God systematically extended His reach from Jerusalem "to the uttermost part of the earth" ([[Acts 1:8]]). The word, though small, silently testifies to the divine sovereignty that orchestrates the journey of salvation history, leading His people from one place of witness to the next.
### Summary
κἀκεῖθεν (kakeîthen, `{{G2547}}`) is a Greek adverb meaning "and from there" or "and thence," combining the conjunction "and" with the adverb "from that place." It functions as a crucial narrative connector, indicating a sequential movement or temporal progression from a previously mentioned point. Its frequent appearance in the Gospels and especially in the book of Acts highlights the deliberate and divinely guided journeys of Jesus and the early Christian missionaries. Theologically, it subtly emphasizes the orderly and intentional unfolding of God's redemptive plan, demonstrating the systematic expansion of the gospel through specific geographical and temporal steps, thereby revealing the purposeful nature of the Kingdom's advance.
TRV