ἐκεῖσε (ekeise)
ekeise
there
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adverb ekeise simply means "there" or "thither," pointing to a specific location away from the speaker. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, both within the book of Acts. This rarity makes its usage in those few instances particularly notable for anyone tracking narrative movement.
One occurrence describes Paul recalling his past actions against believers in Jerusalem (Acts 22:5). Here, the word anchors the memory to a specific geographic and historical point. The second instance uses a slightly more complex construction, referring to "those who were there" (Acts 21:3), showing how the adverb can modify a group’s presence rather than just direction.
Etymologically, ekeise derives from the demonstrative pronoun ekeinos ("that one"), linking it to the idea of pointing out something distant. While most translations render it as "there," the context often implies movement toward that place, or "thither." This subtle directional nuance helps readers visualize the characters’ journeys and connections across the early church’s expanding map.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ekeise is a simple directional term meaning "there" or "thither." It appears only twice in the New Testament, both within the book of Acts. Its rarity makes each instance stand out, anchoring the narrative to specific places where God’s work was unfolding.
In Acts 21:3, it marks Tyre as a destination for rest and preparation before Paul continued his journey. In Acts 22:5, Paul recalls traveling to Damascus to bring believers "there" back to Jerusalem. These brief mentions remind us that the early church moved across real geography, connecting communities through shared faith.
For you, this word highlights how God uses ordinary places and journeys to shape His people. Whether you are in a familiar setting or moving toward something new, your location matters in God’s story. He meets us where we are and guides our steps with purpose.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- there1×
- There1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐκεῖσε2×
Key Verses
-
Acts 21:3
When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for the ship was there to unload her cargo.
The word identifies Tyre as the specific port where the ship stopped to unload cargo, marking a pause in Paul’s journey.
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Acts 22:5
as also the high priest and all the council of the elders testify, from whom also I received letters to the brothers, and traveled to Damascus to bring them also who were there to Jerusalem in bonds to be punished.
Paul uses this term to recall that he traveled to Damascus specifically to bring believers who were located there back to Jerusalem.