ἑκατόν (hekaton)
hekaton
hundred
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 17 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word hekaton simply means "a hundred." It functions as a noun representing the specific number 100, appearing seventeen times in the New Testament. The sources indicate it is most frequently found in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, with additional occurrences in Luke and Revelation.
In its usage, hekaton often serves to quantify large groups or yields, grounding Jesus’ parables in concrete, understandable terms. For instance, it describes the organization of five thousand men into groups of hundreds (Mark 6:40) or illustrates the abundance of a harvest where seeds produce a yield of one hundred times what was sown (Matthew 13:8, 23). These references show the word being used to convey scale and order rather than abstract quantity.
Etymologically, the sources note its origin is of uncertain affinity, meaning its deeper linguistic roots are not clearly traced to other known words. Despite this, its meaning remains stable and literal throughout Scripture. Translators consistently render it as "hundred," preserving the precise numerical value intended by the original authors without adding metaphorical layers that are not present in the text itself.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hekaton simply means one hundred. In the New Testament, it appears in contexts that highlight both abundance and care. Jesus uses this number to describe a harvest so rich that a small effort yields massive results. This imagery reminds us that God’s grace often exceeds our expectations, turning small acts of faith into significant outcomes.
At the same time, the word grounds spiritual truths in reality. When Jesus speaks of leaving ninety-nine sheep to find one, or when Nicodemus brings a substantial amount of spices for burial, the number 100 provides weight and clarity. It shows that God cares about the specific details of our lives, whether in great abundance or in moments of deep reverence.
For your daily walk, this word invites you to trust in God’s provision. You may feel small or insignificant, but the same God who numbers every sheep also multiplies your efforts when they are sown in good soil. Rest in the knowledge that your faithful steps are seen and valued by Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 17 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a hundred5×
- one hundred4×
- a hundred.3×
- a hundredfold,2×
- A hundred2×
- hundreds1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἑκατὸν12×
- ἑκατόν.¶2×
- ἑκατόν,2×
- ἑκατόν.1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 18:12
“What do you think? If a man has one hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine, go to the mountains, and seek that which has gone astray?
This verse uses 'one hundred' to emphasize the specific value of a single lost sheep, highlighting Jesus’ personal concern for each individual.
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Mark 6:40
They sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties.
Here, the word describes the orderly arrangement of the crowd by hundreds, showing how God brings structure even in large gatherings.
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John 19:39
Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred Roman pounds.
Nicodemus brings about a hundred pounds of spices, illustrating the immense honor and love shown to Jesus in His burial.
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Matthew 13:8
Others fell on good soil and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.
The yield of one hundred times demonstrates the extraordinary fruitfulness possible when God’s word is received in good soil.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word hekaton mean?
Why does Jesus use the number 100 in His parables?
Where else does this word appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (17 verses across 6 books)
Matthew 4 verses
Others fell on good soil and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.
Matthew 13:23What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit and…
Matthew 18:12“What do you think? If a man has one hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine, go…
Matthew 18:28“But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him one hundred denarii, and he grabbed him…