ἐκεῖ (ekei)

ekei

there

G1563 · Greek · New Testament · 99 verses

Language: Koine Greek
Testament: New Testament
Occurrences: 99 verses
Root: —

Word Overview

The adverb ekei simply means "there," pointing to a specific location distinct from where the speaker stands. In the New Testament, it appears nearly one hundred times, anchoring narratives in concrete geography. It grounds the stories of Jesus’ ministry and the early church in real places, such as when he teaches by the sea or when Peter denies him near the fire (Matthew 5:24; John 18:18).

While its primary sense is static, ekei also functions dynamically to mean "thither" or "to that place." This usage appears alongside verbs of motion, indicating direction rather than just position. For instance, Jesus tells his disciples to go to Galilee, using the word to mark their destination (Matthew 28:7). It serves as a linguistic bridge between where one is and where one needs to be.

The sources note that ekei often corresponds to the Hebrew shem in the Septuagint, maintaining this consistent spatial reference across both testaments. Its etymology is uncertain, but its function is clear: it directs attention away from the speaker toward a specific point of interest. This simplicity allows it to carry significant narrative weight without distraction.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word ekei simply means "there." It points to a specific place distinct from where the speaker stands. In the New Testament, it appears nearly one hundred times. This adverb anchors the stories of Jesus’ ministry in concrete geography. It grounds narratives in real locations like Galilee or Gethsemane.

While its primary sense is static, ekei also functions dynamically. It can mean "thither" or indicate direction when used with verbs of motion. This usage marks a destination rather than just a position. For instance, Jesus tells his disciples to go to Galilee, using the word to show where they need to be.

This simplicity allows the word to carry significant narrative weight without distraction. It directs attention away from the speaker toward a specific point of interest. The sources note that ekei often corresponds to the Hebrew shem in the Septuagint. This maintains a consistent spatial reference across both testaments.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 99 verses where it appears, by frequency.

there67×
there.10×
there,6×
there;5×
There3×
to there,1×
there?1×
there!1×
there [will be]1×
over there1×
in that place1×
in1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

ἐκεῖ73×
ἐκεῖ.10×
ἐκεῖ,10×
ἐκεῖ·5×
ἐκεῖ;¶1×
ἐκεῖ.¶1×

Key Verses

Matthew 26:36
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go there and pray.”

Here Jesus distinguishes between where the disciples stay and where He goes to pray, highlighting a specific place of intimate communion with the Father.
Matthew 14:23
After he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain by himself to pray. When evening had come, he was there alone.

The text notes Jesus was alone there after sending the multitudes away, emphasizing the solitude required for prayer amidst public ministry.
Matthew 5:24
leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Jesus instructs to leave a gift there before the altar, using the word to mark the physical location of worship that must yield to relational reconciliation.
Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.”

This verse uses the concept of 'where' (often translated from related terms but contextually linked to presence) to promise Christ's spiritual presence in gathered believers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ekei mean in the New Testament?

Ekei is an adverb that means "there." It points to a specific location distinct from where the speaker currently stands. It appears nearly one hundred times in the Greek New Testament.

How is ekei different from other words for place?

Unlike general terms for space, ekei specifically directs attention away from the speaker toward a distant or referenced point. It can function statically to indicate position or dynamically to show direction when paired with verbs of motion.

Where does this word appear in Scripture?

It appears in many key narratives, such as Matthew 26:36 where Jesus goes to Gethsemane to pray. It also marks locations like Egypt in Matthew 2 and Galilee in various Gospel accounts.

Does ekei have a Hebrew equivalent?

Yes, the sources note that ekei often corresponds to the Hebrew word shem in the Septuagint. This connection maintains a consistent spatial reference across both testaments for readers familiar with the Old Testament.

Every Occurrence (99 verses across 11 books)

Matthew 28 verses

Matthew 2:13

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise and take the…

Matthew 2:15

and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet,…

Matthew 2:22

But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there.…

Matthew 5:24

leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer…

Matthew 6:21

for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 8:12

but the children of the Kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of…

Matthew 12:45

Then he goes and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The…

Matthew 13:42

and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 13:50

and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Matthew 13:58

He didn’t do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

Matthew 14:23

After he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain by himself to pray. When evening had come, he was…

Matthew 15:29

Jesus departed from there and came near to the sea of Galilee; and he went up on the mountain and sat there.

Matthew 17:20

He said to them, “Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard…

Matthew 18:20

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.”

Matthew 19:2

Great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there.

Matthew 21:17

He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and camped there.

Matthew 22:11

“But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who didn’t have on wedding clothing,

Matthew 22:13

Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and throw him into the outer darkness. That…

Matthew 24:28

For wherever the carcass is, that is where the vultures gather together.

Matthew 24:51

and will cut him in pieces and appoint his portion with the hypocrites. That is where the weeping and grinding of teeth…

Matthew 25:30

Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Matthew 26:36

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go there and…

Matthew 26:71

When he had gone out onto the porch, someone else saw him and said to those who were there, “This man also was with…

Matthew 27:36

and they sat and watched him there.

Matthew 27:47

Some of them who stood there, when they heard it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.”

Matthew 27:55

Many women were there watching from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, serving him.

Matthew 27:61

Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.

Matthew 28:7

Go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead, and behold, he goes before you into Galilee; there you…

Mark 13 verses

Luke 16 verses

John 22 verses

Acts 7 verses

Romans 2 verses

II Corinthians 1 verse

Titus 1 verse

Hebrews 1 verse

James 3 verses

Revelation of John 5 verses