from νύξ and ἡμέρα; a day-and-night, i.e. full day of twenty-four hours:--night and day.
Transliteration:nychthḗmeron
Pronunciation:nookh-thay'-mer-on
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word νυχθήμερον (nychthḗmeron, `{{G3574}}`) is a compound noun formed from νύξ (nyx, `{{G3571}}`, "night") and ἡμέρα (hēmera, `{{G2250}}`, "day"). Its precise and primary meaning is "a night-day" or "a day-and-night," specifically designating a complete chronological unit of twenty-four hours. This term is used to emphasize the totality of a full solar day, encompassing both the period of darkness (night) and the period of light (daylight). It is distinct from simply referring to "day" (which can mean the daylight portion) or "night" alone, as it explicitly combines both components to denote a full cycle.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term νυχθήμερον appears only once in the New Testament, found in the Apostle Paul's second letter to the Corinthians.
* [[2 Corinthians 11:25]]: "Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a νυχθήμερον in the open sea."
In this passage, Paul is recounting a litany of his sufferings and perils endured in his ministry as an apostle of Christ. The phrase "a νυχθήμερον in the open sea" (νυχθήμερον ἐν τῷ βυθῷ) vividly describes a period of extreme exposure and peril, likely clinging to wreckage or floating in the water after one of his shipwrecks. The mention of a full twenty-four-hour cycle emphasizes the prolonged and intense nature of this particular ordeal. It was not a brief moment of distress, but an entire day and night spent in a life-threatening situation, exposed to the elements and the dangers of the deep. This detail serves to underscore the profound depth of Paul's suffering and the miraculous nature of his survival, highlighting the extraordinary hardships he willingly faced for the sake of the Gospel.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **νύξ (nyx, `{{G3571}}`):** "Night." This component word often carries connotations of darkness, danger, or the absence of light, both literally and metaphorically (e.g., [[John 9:4]], [[Romans 13:12]]).
* **ἡμέρα (hēmera, `{{G2250}}`):** "Day." This component can refer to the daylight period, a specific calendar day, or a broader epoch (e.g., "the day of the Lord").
* **χρόνος (chronos, `{{G5550}}`):** A general term for time, duration, or a specific period.
* **καιρός (kairos, `{{G2540}}`):** An appointed time, an opportune moment, or a season.
The unique contribution of νυχθήμερον among these related terms is its precise and unambiguous definition of a complete, cyclical unit of time. Unlike χρόνος or καιρός which are more abstract or qualitative, νυχθήμερον is a quantitative measure, ensuring that the full span of a day-night cycle is understood, thereby intensifying the scope of the event being described.
### Theological Significance
While νυχθήμερον is primarily a temporal descriptor, its singular and poignant use in [[2 Corinthians 11:25]] imbues it with significant theological resonance within Paul's discourse on apostolic suffering and authenticity.
* **Testament to Suffering:** The inclusion of a "day and night in the deep" serves as a powerful testament to the profound and relentless suffering Paul endured for Christ. This specific detail highlights the extremity of his trials, presenting them not as a weakness, but as a mark of genuine apostleship (cf. [[2 Corinthians 6:4-10]]).
* **Divine Preservation:** To survive such an ordeal for a full twenty-four hours points to an extraordinary resilience and, more importantly, to God's sustaining power. Paul's endurance through this νυχθήμερον in the open sea implicitly testifies to divine preservation amidst human vulnerability, demonstrating God's faithfulness in upholding His servant through unimaginable peril.
* **Cost of Discipleship:** The vividness conveyed by νυχθήμερον contributes to the broader theological theme of the cost of discipleship and ministry. Paul's willingness to suffer such hardships, even to the point of a full day and night adrift, underscores his unwavering commitment to the Gospel and his identification with Christ's own suffering.
### Summary
The Greek word νυχθήμερον (nychthḗmeron, `{{G3574}}`) is a compound term signifying a complete twenty-four-hour period, encompassing both night and day. Its sole occurrence in the New Testament in [[2 Corinthians 11:25]] is highly impactful. There, the Apostle Paul uses it to describe a harrowing experience of spending a full day and night in the open sea after a shipwreck. This precise temporal detail powerfully conveys the extreme duration and intensity of his suffering, serving as a vivid illustration of the profound hardships he endured for the sake of the Gospel. Theologically, νυχθήμερον in this context underscores the reality of apostolic suffering, the extraordinary resilience granted by divine grace, and the unwavering commitment required for faithful ministry, ultimately pointing to God's sustaining presence amidst the most severe trials.
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