### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term G3397 (mikrón) is the neuter or masculine singular form of the adjective `{{G3398}}` (mikrós), meaning "small" or "little." When used as a substantive or adverbially, as G3397 often is, it conveys the sense of a small space, a short duration of time, or a slight degree or quantity. Its primary semantic range encompasses:
1. **Temporal brevity:** "a little while," "a short time," "soon." This is its most common usage in the New Testament.
2. **Spatial proximity:** "a little distance," "a little farther."
3. **Quantitative/Qualitative smallness:** "a little bit," "slightly," "a small amount."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
G3397 appears frequently in the New Testament, predominantly conveying a temporal sense.
* In the Synoptic Gospels, it can denote a small spatial distance, as seen in Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane: He went "a little farther" from His disciples ([[Matthew 26:39]], [[Mark 14:35]]). In [[Luke 22:58]], it marks a brief interval: "a little while later."
* The Gospel of John employs G3397 extensively in the context of Jesus' impending departure and subsequent return. Jesus repeatedly tells His disciples, "A little while, and you will no longer see me; and again a little while, and you will see me" ([[John 16:16]], also [[John 16:17]], [[John 16:18]], [[John 16:19]]). This phrase encapsulates the brevity of His physical absence and the certainty of His return in the Spirit. Similarly, in [[John 7:33]] and [[John 13:33]], Jesus speaks of being with them "for a little while longer" before His ascension. In [[John 12:35]], mikrón modifies "light," urging disciples to walk "while you have the light," implying a brief window of opportunity.
* The book of Hebrews uses G3397 in an eschatological context, quoting Habakkuk 2:3 from the Septuagint: "For yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay" ([[Hebrews 10:37]]). This emphasizes the imminence of Christ's return and the steadfastness of God's promises.
* In Revelation, G3397 again highlights temporal brevity within the divine plan. The souls under the altar are told to "rest yet a little time" ([[Revelation 6:11]]) before the full number of martyrs is complete. Later, Satan is released "for a little while" after the millennium ([[Revelation 20:3]]), signifying a divinely permitted, yet strictly limited, period of final deception.
Across these contexts, G3397 consistently points to a finite, often brief, period determined by God's sovereign will, leading to a significant change or culmination.
### Related Words & Concepts
* `{{G3398}}` (mikrós): The root adjective "small, little," from which G3397 is derived. Understanding the adjectival sense illuminates the adverbial/substantive use.
* `{{G3641}}` (olígos): Another Greek term meaning "few," "little," or "short." While olígos can overlap with mikrón in conveying brevity or smallness, mikrón often carries a more direct sense of "a brief moment" or "a slight degree." olígos can emphasize scarcity or insufficiency, whereas mikrón emphasizes the limited extent.
* `{{H4592}}` (mĕ‘aṭ): The Hebrew equivalent found in the Old Testament, often translated as "a little," "few," or "a short time," frequently used in contexts parallel to G3397 regarding temporal brevity.
* `{{H6996}}` (qāṭan): A general Hebrew term for "small" or "insignificant," providing a broader conceptual parallel to `{{G3398}}`.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of G3397 is profound, particularly in its temporal applications:
* **Divine Sovereignty over Time:** The repeated assertion of "a little while" underscores God's absolute control over the unfolding of history and redemptive events. What may seem like a long delay to human perception is, from God's eternal vantage point, a brief, precisely determined interval.
* **Hope Amidst Suffering:** For the disciples facing Jesus' departure, or for the martyrs in Revelation, the promise of "a little while" offers solace and hope. It assures them that their period of trial or waiting is finite and will be followed by divine vindication or consummation.
* **Urgency and Stewardship:** The brevity implied by mikrón can also convey a sense of urgency. Jesus' exhortation to walk while the light is present ([[John 12:35]]) highlights the limited opportunity for belief and action before the "darkness" of His departure. This calls for immediate and faithful response.
* **Eschatological Tension:** G3397 contributes to the "already and not yet" dynamic of biblical eschatology. The Lord's coming, though certain and imminent ("a little while"), still awaits its full manifestation, maintaining a tension between present reality and future hope.
* **The Paradox of Absence and Presence:** In John's Gospel, Jesus' "little while" of physical absence is paradoxically filled with the promise of a deeper, spiritual presence through the Holy Spirit. This redefines the disciples' understanding of His nearness.
### Summary
G3397 (mikrón), derived from `{{G3398}}` (mikrós), functions primarily as an adverb or substantive signifying a small space, degree, or, most notably, a short period of time ("a little while"). Its biblical occurrences, particularly in John's Gospel, Hebrews, and Revelation, consistently highlight the brevity of certain periods within God's redemptive plan. Theologically, mikrón underscores God's sovereign control over time, instills hope in the face of waiting or suffering, conveys a sense of urgency for human response, and contributes to the eschatological tension between divine promise and its ultimate fulfillment. It powerfully communicates that even significant periods of human experience are but fleeting moments within the eternal scope of God's purposes.
TRV