ἕκτος (hektos)
hektos
sixth
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 14 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective hektos simply means "the sixth." It is an ordinal number, derived from the root for six, and functions much like its English counterpart to indicate position in a sequence. In the New Testament, it appears fourteen times, primarily within the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Revelation.
Its usage is straightforward and descriptive rather than symbolic or metaphorical. For instance, it identifies the sixth hour in narrative timelines, such as when darkness covered the land during Jesus’ crucifixion (Luke 23:44). Similarly, in Revelation, it counts the number of seals, trumpets, or bowls in prophetic visions (Revelation 8:10; 9:15), providing a clear structural marker for the reader without adding hidden layers of meaning.
While some Greek words carry heavy theological weight through their etymology, hektos serves a purely numerical purpose. It anchors biblical narratives in specific timeframes or sequential events, allowing the text to move forward with precision. Translators render it consistently as "sixth," preserving the exact order intended by the original authors.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hektos simply means "the sixth." In the New Testament, it appears fourteen times, primarily in Luke and Revelation. It functions as a precise marker of time or sequence, anchoring biblical narratives in specific moments without adding hidden symbolic layers. For instance, it identifies the sixth hour during Jesus’ crucifixion (Luke 23:44) or the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy (Luke 1:26).
This clarity reminds us that God works within real history and tangible timelines. Whether marking the darkness at noon or the order of prophetic seals, these details show a Creator who is not distant but intimately involved in the sequence of events. The precision of hektos invites trust in a God who keeps accurate account of every moment.
When we read these accounts, we are invited to see our own lives as part of this ordered story. Just as the sixth hour marked a pivotal moment in salvation history, our present moments hold significance. We can find comfort in knowing that our days are numbered and known by Him, offering a steady hope amidst life’s uncertainties.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 14 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- sixth7×
- [the] sixth.3×
- sixth,2×
- [the] sixth2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἕκτος4×
- ἕκτῳ2×
- ἕκτης2×
- ἕκτην.1×
- ἕκτην,1×
- ἕκτην1×
- ἕκτη.¶1×
- ἕκτη.1×
- ἕκτη,1×
Key Verses
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Luke 23:44
It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.
This occurrence marks the sixth hour during the crucifixion, signaling the start of supernatural darkness that covered the land until the ninth hour.
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Luke 1:26
Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
Here it specifies the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, highlighting the timing of Gabriel's announcement to Mary in Nazareth.
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Revelation of John 6:12
I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became as blood.
This verse identifies the sixth seal being opened, triggering a great earthquake and cosmic disturbances in the prophetic vision.
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John 4:6
Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being tired from his journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.
It notes the sixth hour when Jesus sat by Jacob’s well, indicating the midday heat as He engaged with the Samaritan woman.