ὅδε (hode, hēde)
hode, hēde
this
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word hode functions as a demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "these," but with a specific emphasis on proximity and immediacy. Unlike other words for "this," it often points to something present, visible, or physically near the speaker. It is formed from the definite article and an enclitic particle that adds a sense of deictic force, effectively saying "this one right here." In the New Testament, it appears in about eleven verses, frequently in the writings of Luke and John.
A key usage occurs when Jesus identifies a specific person or place in the moment. For example, in Luke 10:39, Mary is described as sitting at the Lord's feet "here" (hode), distinguishing her immediate location from others in the house. The word also introduces lists or quotations, signaling that what follows is the precise content being referenced, as seen when John receives messages for specific churches in Revelation chapters two and three.
This term carries a tangible weight, grounding abstract ideas in concrete reality. It directs attention to the immediate context rather than distant or general references. Translators typically render it simply as "this," but the Greek original invites the reader to visualize the object or person being pointed out in the narrative space.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hode is a simple demonstrative meaning "this," but it carries a specific weight of immediacy. It points to something right here, in front of you, or present in the moment. In the New Testament, this term often grounds spiritual truths in concrete reality, directing our attention away from abstract ideas and toward what is tangible and near.
When Jesus speaks or when the apostles write, using hode signals that what follows is precise and urgent. It invites us to look closely at the person or place being described. For instance, in Luke 10:39, Mary sits at the Lord’s feet "here," highlighting her immediate presence and focus amidst a busy household. This simple word reminds us that God meets us in our current situation, not just in distant hopes.
For your faith, this emphasis on proximity is encouraging. It suggests that divine revelation and grace are not far-off concepts but are accessible right now. Whether reading a letter to an early church or hearing the words of Christ, hode calls you to pay attention to the specific truth being offered in this moment.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- These things7×
- these things:1×
- such1×
- she1×
- Thus1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- τάδε8×
- τῇδε1×
- τήνδε1×
- τάδε·¶1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 10:39
She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard his word.
This verse uses the term to specify Mary's immediate physical location at Jesus' feet, distinguishing her attentive posture from the other activities in the house.
-
Revelation of John 2:1
“To the angel of the assembly in Ephesus write: “He who holds the seven stars in his right hand, he who walks among the seven golden lamp stands says these things:
Here the word introduces the specific message from Christ to Ephesus, signaling that the following words are the exact content He wishes to convey to that assembly.
-
Revelation of John 3:7
“To the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write: “He who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no one can shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says these things:
The term marks the transition to Christ's direct address to Philadelphia, emphasizing the authority and truth of the opening description involving the key of David.
-
Acts 21:11
Coming to us and taking Paul’s belt, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, “The Holy Spirit says: ‘So the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt, and will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”
Paul points to his own belt as a tangible object, using the word to ground the prophetic warning in a visible symbol that represents his impending capture.