Pronunciation Guide: eh-KAY-seh
Basic Definition
Strong’s G1566: ἐκεῖσε (ekeise) is an adverb of place indicating directional movement “to that place” or “there” (with movement implied). It conveys the notion of purposeful direction toward a specified destination. In biblical contexts, this word often carries connotations of divine guidance or appointed destination within God’s sovereign plan.
Etymology and Morphology
- Part of speech: Adverb
- Derived from: ἐκεῖ (ekei, “there”) + -σε (directional suffix)
- Language origin: Classical Greek
- Primary usage: Narrative sections, particularly in Acts
- Related to demonstrative pronouns: ἐκεῖνος (ekeinos, “that one”)
- Frequency: Rare in the New Testament (appears only twice)
ἐκεῖσε Morphology:
- ἐκεῖσε (adverbial form) – to that place, thither
- This word is an adverb and therefore does not change form based on case, gender, or number
Origin & History
The adverb ἐκεῖσε has its roots in classical Greek, where it functioned as a directional marker. It is formed by adding the directional suffix -σε to the locative adverb ἐκεῖ (“there”), creating a word that indicates movement toward a specific location. This construction follows a common pattern in Greek adverbs of place, where suffixes modify the spatial relationship (e.g., ποῦ “where,” πόθεν “from where,” ποῖ/πόσε “to where”).
In classical literature, Thucydides employs ἐκεῖσε in his “History of the Peloponnesian War” when describing troop movements, highlighting its function of indicating purposeful direction. The Septuagint uses this term sparingly, but notably in contexts where divine direction is implied, such as in 1 Maccabees 11:63 when describing Jonathan’s strategic movements. This established a precedent for its theological undertones in biblical Greek, where seemingly ordinary movement often carries spiritual significance.
Expanded Definitions & Translation Options
- Movement toward a previously mentioned or understood place
- Directed journey to a specific destination
- Purposeful travel with implied intent
- Movement in accordance with a predetermined plan
ἐκεῖσε Translation Options:
- “To that place” – most literal translation that preserves the directional aspect
- “Thither” – archaic English equivalent that precisely captures the meaning
- “There” (with movement implied) – simplified modern translation, though it may lose the explicit directional component
- “Toward that destination” – expanded translation that emphasizes purposefulness
Biblical Usage
In the New Testament, ἐκεῖσε appears only twice, both instances within the book of Acts. Its first appearance is in Acts 21:3, where Luke recounts Paul’s journey: “When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left, we kept sailing to Syria and landed at Tyre; for there [ἐκεῖσε] the ship was to unload its cargo.” The second occurrence is in Acts 22:5, where Paul describes his former mission to Damascus: “to bring even those who were there [ἐκεῖσε] to Jerusalem as prisoners to be punished.”
The limited usage of this term in Scripture gives special significance to each occurrence. In both cases, the word appears in narratives involving journeys that are pivotal to the spread of the Gospel. While seemingly a simple directional marker, the contexts suggest these movements were divinely orchestrated, highlighting the theological significance of physical direction in biblical narrative.
- “When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left, we kept sailing to Syria and landed at Tyre; for there [ἐκεῖσε] the ship was to unload its cargo.” Acts 21:3
- “As also the high priest and all the Council of the elders can testify. From them I also received letters to the brethren, and started off for Damascus in order to bring even those who were there [ἐκεῖσε] to Jerusalem as prisoners to be punished.” Acts 22:5
Cultural Insights
In ancient Mediterranean culture, travel was undertaken with tremendous deliberation and purpose. The seemingly simple directional adverb ἐκεῖσε would have carried significant weight for original readers, as journeys were costly, dangerous, and never undertaken lightly. Sea voyages like Paul’s trip to Tyre involved substantial risk, making the destination (indicated by ἐκεῖσε) a matter of significant importance.
The Jewish understanding of travel was particularly nuanced, with journeys often viewed as spiritually significant acts. The Hebrew concept of derek (way or path) encompassed both physical journeys and spiritual direction. When Luke, likely influenced by this Hebraic worldview, employed ἐκεῖσε to describe Paul’s journeys, he was subtly highlighting the divine purpose behind these physical movements. For Jewish readers, geographic direction was often inseparable from theological direction – a movement toward a physical place (ἐκεῖσε) could simultaneously represent movement toward fulfillment of divine calling.
Theological Significance
The directional quality of ἐκεῖσε reminds us that God’s redemptive work often involves physical movement and geographical purpose. In the narrative of Acts, no journey happens by chance; each destination serves the divine plan of gospel expansion. When Paul’s ship sailed “to that place” (ἐκεῖσε) in Tyre, it was simultaneously sailing into God’s appointed opportunity for ministry. The seemingly mundane detail of a cargo ship’s destination becomes, in the biblical narrative, another thread in the tapestry of God’s sovereign plan.
The contrast between the two occurrences of ἐκεῖσε in Acts is theologically profound. In Acts 22:5, Paul uses the term to describe his former mission to bring believers from Damascus to Jerusalem for punishment. In Acts 21:3, the same directional concept applies to his missionary journey spreading the gospel. The same word that once described his movement to persecute now describes his movement to proclaim – a linguistic testimony to the transformative power of the Messiah Yeshua in redirecting human purpose. This transformation reminds us that יהוה (Yahweh) can radically change not just who we are, but where we are going.
Personal Application
The adverb ἐκεῖσε invites us to consider the significance of our own directional movements. Where are we headed, and is that direction aligned with God’s purposes? Just as Paul’s destinations were divinely orchestrated, our life journeys – both physical relocations and spiritual directions – can be surrendered to God’s sovereign guidance.
Consider your current trajectory – the “ἐκεῖσε” of your life – and ask whether it reflects obedience to God’s leading. The small linguistic detail of a directional adverb becomes a profound spiritual invitation to examine whether we are moving toward self-determined destinations or God-ordained purposes. Our physical movements often reveal our spiritual priorities; may our own “ἐκεῖσε” always be directed by the Master’s hand.
Related Words
- ἐκεῖ (ekei, eh-KAY) – “there” (without movement), indicating position rather than direction. While ἐκεῖσε focuses on movement toward a place, ἐκεῖ indicates being stationary at a location. See G1563
- ἐκεῖθεν (ekeithen, eh-KAY-then) – “from there,” indicating movement away from a place, completing the triad of positional relationships. See G1564
- ἐντεῦθεν (enteuthen, en-TEF-then) – “from here,” providing the opposite perspective of movement from the speaker’s position. See G1782
- ὧδε (hōde, HOH-deh) – “here,” the starting point that contrasts with the destination implied by ἐκεῖσε. See G5602
- πορεύομαι (poreuomai, po-REV-o-mai) – “to go, journey,” the verb that often accompanies directional adverbs like ἐκεῖσε to indicate the action of movement. See G4198
Did you Know?
- Did you know that Greek has a remarkably precise system of directional adverbs that distinguish between “where” (ποῦ), “from where” (πόθεν), and “to where” (ποῖ/πόσε)? This linguistic precision reflects the Greek philosophical tendency toward categorization and exactness. The word ἐκεῖσε belongs to this system, providing nuance that is often lost in translation to languages like English that lack such specific directional markers.
- Did you know that in rabbinic Judaism, physical journeys were often interpreted as spiritual metaphors? The Hebrew concept of halakha (הֲלָכָה), which literally means “the way to walk,” encompasses both physical and spiritual direction. This worldview likely influenced the New Testament writers’ understanding of terms like ἐκεῖσε, infusing simple directional language with deeper theological significance.
- Did you know that modern Greek still uses ἐκεῖ (there) commonly, but the directional form ἐκεῖσε has largely fallen out of everyday usage? In contemporary Greek, the preposition προς (toward) with ἐκεῖ has generally replaced the more elegant single-word ἐκεῖσε of biblical times. This linguistic evolution reflects a broader pattern of analytical constructions replacing synthetic forms in the development of Greek over time.
Remember This
ἐκεῖσε reminds us that in God’s kingdom, destinations are never accidental—every “there” to which He directs us is a divinely appointed opportunity to participate in His redemptive work.
