ἔννατος (ennatos)
ennatos
ninth (hour)
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
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Word Overview
The adjective ennatos simply means "ninth." In the New Testament, it appears exclusively in reference to time, specifically denoting the ninth hour of the day. By Jewish calculation, which began at sunrise around 6 A.M., this moment falls at approximately 3 P.M. The word functions as a precise temporal marker rather than carrying abstract theological weight.
Its significance lies in its narrative placement. It marks the time when Peter and John went to the temple (Acts 3:1) and when Cornelius received his vision (Acts 10:30). Most notably, it is the hour cited during the crucifixion accounts, when darkness covered the land from the sixth to the ninth hour (Matthew 27:45-46; Mark 15:33-34). This timing anchors the events in a specific, recognizable daily rhythm for ancient readers.
Translators consistently render it as "the ninth hour" without variation. The term itself is an ordinal number derived from ennea ("nine"). Its repeated use in the passion narratives highlights the duration of the darkness and the specific moment of Jesus' death, providing a concrete chronological anchor to the Gospel accounts.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ennatos simply marks the ninth hour of the day, which in ancient Jewish timekeeping fell around three o’clock in the afternoon. This was a regular time for prayer and reflection, a quiet pause in the daily rhythm when people might step away from work to seek God. In Acts 3:1, Peter and John went to the temple at this hour, showing that faith often meets us in the ordinary moments of life.
Yet this same hour carries profound weight in the Gospel accounts. At the ninth hour, darkness covered the land, and Jesus cried out from the cross (Matthew 27:46). It was a moment of deep sorrow and sacrifice, anchoring the story of redemption in real time. This juxtaposition reminds us that God is present both in our quiet prayers and in our deepest suffering.
When you encounter this word, it invites you to notice the sacredness of your own daily rhythms. Whether you are praying in the afternoon light or walking through a dark season, your moments matter to God. He meets you where you are, in the specific hours of your life, bringing hope and presence.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- ninth6×
- ninth.3×
- [the] ninth [hour]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐνάτην4×
- ἐνάτης.2×
- ἔνατος1×
- ἐνάτῃ1×
- ἐνάτης1×
- ἐνάτην.1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 27:46
About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lima sabachthani?” That is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
This verse marks the precise moment Jesus cried out on the cross, anchoring his final words in the historical reality of the ninth hour.
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Acts 3:1
Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
Here the word highlights a regular practice of prayer, showing how early believers integrated devotion into their daily schedule.
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Acts 10:30
Cornelius said, “Four days ago, I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour, I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing
Cornelius recalls this specific time to show his consistency in prayer, demonstrating that faithfulness is often found in repeated, ordinary acts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word ennatos mean?
Why is the ninth hour significant in the Bible?
How was time measured in biblical times?
Every Occurrence (10 verses across 5 books)
Matthew 3 verses
Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise.
Matthew 27:45Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.
Matthew 27:46About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lima sabachthani?” That is, “My God, my God, why…