ἕξ (hex)
hex
six
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 13 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word hex is the simple cardinal number for six. It functions as an indeclinable noun, meaning its form remains the same regardless of its grammatical role in a sentence. In the New Testament, it appears thirteen times, primarily within the Gospels and Acts, serving as a straightforward count of items or people.
Its usage is often tied to specific historical or narrative details rather than abstract symbolism. For instance, Matthew 17:1 records that Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain, implying a small group context where precise numbers matter for the account's integrity. Similarly, Luke 13:14 mentions six days of work, anchoring the story in the practical rhythm of weekly labor.
While some biblical numbers carry heavy theological weight, hex is typically used here for literal clarity. It grounds the narrative in reality, marking specific quantities without inviting complex allegorical interpretation. The word’s presence ensures that readers understand exactly how many individuals or days are involved in these recorded events.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hex simply means six. In the New Testament, it appears thirteen times to count people, days, or objects with precision. This clarity helps us trust that the biblical accounts are grounded in real history rather than vague myth. When Jesus took three disciples up a mountain after six days, the specific number anchors the event in time, showing God’s care for detail in our own lives.
Similarly, references to six days of work or six water pots remind us that faith operates within the rhythm of ordinary life. Whether it is the temple taking forty-six years to build or a ship carrying two hundred seventy-six souls, these numbers reflect the tangible reality of human experience. We do not need to search for hidden codes in every digit; often, the text invites us to see God’s presence in the straightforward facts of our days.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- six8×
- six.2×
- six;1×
- six,1×
- Six1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἓξ8×
- ἕξ·1×
- ἕξ.¶1×
- ἕξ.1×
- ἕξ,1×
- ἕξ1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 17:1
After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves.
The six-day interval marks the specific time between Jesus’ prediction of his suffering and the Transfiguration, highlighting a period of preparation for the inner circle.
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Luke 13:14
The ruler of the synagogue, being indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the multitude, “There are six days in which men ought to work. Therefore come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day!”
This verse clarifies the legalistic argument of the synagogue ruler, who admits healing is permitted on the six workdays but forbidden on the Sabbath.
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John 2:6
Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews’ way of purifying, containing two or three metretes apiece.
The six stone pots represent Jewish purification rites, showing Jesus transforming ordinary ritual objects into instruments of miraculous provision at Cana.
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Acts 18:11
He lived there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
Paul’s stay of a year and six months in Corinth demonstrates the sustained effort required to establish a church community through consistent teaching.
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Revelation of John 4:8
The four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within. They have no rest day and night, saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come!”
The six wings of the living creatures echo Isaiah’s vision, emphasizing their role as constant worshippers who cover themselves and serve God day and night.