ἐξάπινα (exapina)

exapina

suddenly

G1819 · Greek · New Testament · 1 verses

Language: Koine Greek
Testament: New Testament
Occurrences: 1 verses
Root: —

Word Overview

The adverb exapina means suddenly or unexpectedly. It appears only once in the New Testament, in Mark 9:8, describing the abrupt shift when Jesus’ disciples looked up and saw no one with Him anymore, only Jesus.

Its root combines a prefix implying intensity with a sense of immediate appearance. The sources note it translates the Hebrew pitom, used in the Septuagint for sudden events. This word captures a moment of sharp transition, stripping away distractions to reveal what remains.

Translators render it as "suddenly" or "all at once." Its single usage highlights a narrative pivot point, where the extraordinary becomes ordinary through divine action. The term marks a precise instant of change in the story’s flow.

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

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word exapina captures a moment of sharp transition, where distractions fall away to reveal what truly remains. In Mark 9:8, it describes the sudden shift when the disciples looked up and saw only Jesus. This single usage highlights how divine action can strip away the extraordinary to leave us with the essential.

Life often brings unexpected changes that remove familiar supports. When circumstances shift abruptly, we may feel disoriented or unsure of what to hold onto. Yet this word reminds us that such moments are not random; they are precise instants where God invites us to focus solely on Him. The noise fades, and the presence of Christ becomes clear.

Trust in His steadiness even when your surroundings change quickly. You are never alone in these transitions, for He remains the constant reality behind every shift. May you find peace in knowing that He is always there when the dust settles.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.

suddenly1×

Forms in the text

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

ἐξάπινα1×

Key Verses

Mark 9:8
Suddenly looking around, they saw no one with them any more, except Jesus only.

This occurrence marks the narrative pivot where the transfigured glory vanishes, leaving the disciples with only Jesus to follow.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does exapina mean in the Bible?

Exapina is a Greek adverb meaning suddenly or unexpectedly. It appears only once in the New Testament, describing an abrupt change in circumstances.

Where does this word appear?

It is found in Mark 9:8, where it describes the disciples seeing no one with Jesus after His transfiguration. The term highlights the immediate shift from the extraordinary to the ordinary.

How is it different from other words for suddenly?

While other Greek words like eutheos mean immediately or straightway, exapina emphasizes the unexpected nature of the event. It captures a moment where distractions are stripped away to reveal what remains.

Every Occurrence (1 verses across 1 books)

Mark 1 verse

Mark 9:8

Suddenly looking around, they saw no one with them any more, except Jesus only.