### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adverb hōde (`{{G5602}}`) derives from an adverbial form of ὅδε (hode), meaning "this (one here)." Its primary semantic function is to denote a specific, immediate location, translating most commonly as "here," "hither," or "in this place." It serves as a deictic marker, pointing to the speaker's current position or the immediate vicinity. While its core meaning is spatial, indicating presence or motion towards a proximate point, it can also carry a temporal nuance, implying "at this point" or "now," especially in contexts that shift focus to a specific moment or condition. hōde often implicitly contrasts with more distant locations, such as "there" (ἐκεῖ, `{{G1563}}`), emphasizing the immediacy and tangibility of what is being referred to.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
hōde appears frequently throughout the New Testament, serving various contextual purposes.
In the Gospels, it is often used to indicate physical presence or location:
* By those seeking Jesus: "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." [[Matthew 2:2]] (implied "here" for location of birth).
* By Jesus himself, underscoring the immediacy of the Kingdom: "nor will they say, 'Look, hōde (here) it is!' or 'There it is!' For behold, the kingdom of God is within you." [[Luke 17:21]]. This suggests the Kingdom's present reality, not merely a future arrival.
* Most profoundly, by the angels at the empty tomb, declaring Christ's resurrection: "He is not hōde (here), for he has risen, just as he said." [[Matthew 28:6]], also [[Mark 16:6]] and [[Luke 24:6]]. This absence from a physical location signifies a transcendent presence.
* It can also be a command to approach: "Jesus said to them, 'Come hōde (hither) and eat breakfast.'" [[John 21:12]].
In the book of Acts, hōde continues its locative function, often in narrative descriptions of travel or judicial proceedings:
* Referring to a specific place of arrival or activity: "And when we had gone ashore at Tyre, we stayed hōde (there) seven days." [[Acts 21:7]].
* Indicating a person's presence for trial: "And when he had come hōde (here), I immediately took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought." [[Acts 25:17]].
In the Epistles and Revelation, while less frequent, hōde maintains its core meaning, sometimes with an added emphasis on a specific point of instruction or revelation:
* In [[1 Corinthians 14:25]], it highlights the immediate manifestation of God's presence: "and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really hōde (among you)."
* In Revelation, hōde often marks a point of critical understanding or endurance: "This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666." [[Revelation 13:10]] (implied "here" for the need of wisdom). "Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus." [[Revelation 14:12]]. These instances emphasize that the truth or the demand for perseverance is *at this very point* in the unfolding vision.
### Related Words & Concepts
hōde stands in clear contrast to ἐκεῖ (ekeî, `{{G1563}}`), meaning "there," which denotes a more distant or removed location. While ἐνταῦθα (entautha, `{{G1759}}`) also means "here" or "there," hōde often carries a stronger demonstrative force, pointing more emphatically to "this very spot" or "this specific instance." Conceptually, hōde is deeply intertwined with ideas of presence (divine, human), immediacy (events unfolding now or in the immediate vicinity), and focus (directing attention to a particular point). It signals accessibility and tangibility, distinguishing what is near and present from what is distant or absent. Its use often underscores a direct encounter or a crucial moment in time or space.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of hōde is profound, particularly in its New Testament applications.
* **Incarnation and Immanence:** The frequent use of hōde in relation to Jesus' earthly ministry underscores the reality of the Incarnation. God, in Christ, is not distant but has come hōde, "here" among humanity, making salvation and divine presence tangible and accessible.
* **Resurrection as Transformation:** The angelic declaration "He is not hōde" at the empty tomb is arguably the most theologically potent usage. It signifies the triumph over death and the radical transformation of Christ's body. His absence from the tomb points to His greater, transcendent, and resurrected presence, foundational to Christian faith. The empty tomb is not merely a lack but a powerful sign of God's redemptive work.
* **Inaugurated Kingdom:** Jesus' assertion that the Kingdom of God is "here" (hōde) among His listeners [[Luke 17:21]] challenges a solely futuristic understanding of God's reign. It emphasizes the present, inaugurated reality of the Kingdom, accessible through faith in Him, actively breaking into the present age.
* **Divine Revelation and Call to Action:** In the prophetic visions of Revelation, hōde often marks moments where divine truth is revealed or where a specific response (wisdom, endurance) is required from the saints. It signifies that God's will and the call to faithfulness are not abstract but are manifest "here" in the midst of trials and cosmic events, demanding immediate attention and spiritual discernment.
* **Accessibility of God's Work:** Overall, hōde consistently points to the immediate and accessible nature of God's activity, presence, and revelation. It grounds theological truths in specific, tangible realities, inviting believers to perceive and respond to God's work in their present circumstances.
### Summary
The Greek adverb hōde (`{{G5602}}`) primarily means "here" or "hither," indicating immediate proximity or direction. While seemingly simple, its usage in the New Testament carries significant theological weight. It emphasizes the tangible presence of God in the Incarnation, the transformative power of the Resurrection through the empty tomb's declaration, and the inaugurated reality of the Kingdom of God "here" among believers. Furthermore, hōde highlights the immediate accessibility of divine revelation and the call to spiritual engagement in the present moment. It consistently grounds profound theological truths in the "here and now" of human experience and divine action, inviting a responsive faith.
TRV