ἀλλαχόθεν (allachothen)
allachothen
from elsewhere
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adverb allachothen means "from elsewhere" or "from another place." It appears only twice in the New Testament, both in the Gospel of John (John 10:1, 34). The word is formed from allos ("other") and the suffix -othen ("from"), clearly indicating origin from a different source or location.
In John 10, Jesus uses this term when contrasting Himself with false shepherds. He states that anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in another way is a thief and robber, coming "from elsewhere" (allachothen). This highlights a distinction between legitimate authority granted by God and unauthorized intrusion from outside.
The term emphasizes the source of one's authority or origin. In John 10:34, Jesus quotes Psalm 82, referring to human judges as gods, yet notes they are mortal and will die like any other man, implying their authority is limited and derived from elsewhere, not inherent. The word serves to distinguish between true divine appointment and false claims.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word allachothen points to an origin outside of what is proper or expected. In John’s Gospel, Jesus uses it to describe those who try to lead God’s people without His permission. It reminds us that true spiritual authority does not come from human ambition or sneaking in through the back door. Instead, it comes from God alone.
For your faith, this is a comfort. You do not need to follow every voice claiming to speak for God. The Shepherd knows His own and calls them by name. When you feel unsure about a teaching or a leader, look to the source. If it does not come through Christ, the true door, it lacks divine backing.
This distinction helps us stay grounded in what is real. We can trust the One who entered by the door because He laid down His life for the sheep. Your security lies not in finding the perfect human guide, but in knowing the Good Shepherd who owns the flock and guards your soul.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- another way,1×
- another way1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀλλαχόθεν,1×
- ἀλλαχοῦ1×
Key Verses
-
John 10:1
“Most certainly, I tell you, one who doesn’t enter by the door into the sheep fold, but climbs up some other way, is a thief and a robber.
This verse uses the word to sharply distinguish between legitimate entry through Christ and unauthorized intrusion by thieves, highlighting that true authority comes only from God.