ἕκαστος (hekastos)

The Greek word hekastos translates simply as "each" or "every," yet it carries a specific weight in Scripture by focusing on individuality within a group. It is an adjective that isolates members one by one, ensuring that no person is overlooked in the collective action. This precision appears when Jesus speaks of judgment, noting that every person will give an account for their own words (Matthew 12:36), or when Paul describes how each believer receives spiritual gifts according to a specific measure (Romans 12:3).

Its usage often involves interesting grammatical patterns that highlight this individual focus. The sources note that hekastos frequently appears in the singular form while governing a plural verb, as seen when Luke records that everyone went home to their own house (Luke 2:3). It also stands in apposition with plural nouns, emphasizing that the whole group is made up of distinct individuals. This construction reinforces the idea that communal identity does not erase personal responsibility.

The term’s theological significance lies in its insistence on personal accountability and unique function. In passages like Revelation 20:13, it describes how each person is judged according to their deeds, underscoring a divine attention to individual lives. Translators often render it as "each one" or "every man," capturing the sense that God’s word addresses the specific circumstances of every single reader.