τυγχάνω (tugchanō)
tugchanō
to obtain/happen
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 13 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb tugchanō carries the vivid sense of hitting a target or striking upon something by chance. In classical usage it contrasted with missing the mark; in Scripture, this imagery shifts toward meeting or obtaining what one encounters. It describes both the active result of reaching a goal and the passive experience of things befalling someone, capturing a blend of intention and circumstance.
Its range spans from securing an outcome to simply happening upon a person or event. In Acts, it notes how Paul obtained results (Acts 19:11) or met with specific responses (Acts 26:22), while in Luke it points to obtaining a resurrection life (Luke 20:35). The word also appears in casual contexts, such as Paul’s hope to visit the Corinthians “by chance” or opportunistically (1 Corinthians 16:7), reflecting its root idea of striking upon something unexpectedly.
This dual nature—attaining through effort and encountering by happenstance—gives tugchanō a unique theological texture. It reminds readers that divine purposes often unfold through both deliberate action and unexpected meetings, weaving human striving with sovereign providence into a single narrative thread.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word tugchanō carries the vivid sense of hitting a target or striking upon something. In Scripture, this imagery shifts toward meeting or obtaining what one encounters. It describes both the active result of reaching a goal and the passive experience of things befalling someone. This blend of intention and circumstance reminds us that divine purposes often unfold through both deliberate action and unexpected meetings.
Consider how Hebrews 11:35 speaks of martyrs who "obtained a better resurrection." They endured torture, not accepting their deliverance, because they were aiming for something greater. Their hope was fixed on a future reality that God had promised. This word encourages us to keep our eyes on the eternal horizon, even when present circumstances are difficult.
Similarly, in 2 Timothy 2:10, Paul endures all things so that others may obtain salvation. His suffering was not meaningless; it was a means by which God’s grace reached others. We see here that our efforts, combined with God’s sovereign timing, can lead to outcomes we could never achieve alone. Trust in this process, knowing that God uses both our striving and His providence.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- it would be2×
- we are attaining1×
- to receive.1×
- to obtain1×
- they may obtain;1×
- state.1×
- possibly1×
- ordinary1×
- may obtain1×
- having obtained1×
- being ordinary1×
- He has obtained1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- τύχοι,2×
- τύχωσιν·1×
- τύχωσιν1×
- τέτυχεν1×
- τυχὼν1×
- τυχὸν1×
- τυχοῦσαν1×
- τυχούσας1×
- τυχεῖν.1×
- τυχεῖν1×
- τυγχάνοντες1×
- τυγχάνοντα.1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 20:35
But those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage.
This verse uses the word to describe those worthy to attain to the resurrection, highlighting the goal of eternal life.
-
Hebrews 11:35
Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.
Here it describes martyrs who refused earthly deliverance to obtain a better resurrection, showing faith in future hope.
-
Hebrews 8:6
But now he has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which on better promises has been given as law.
It states Jesus obtained a more excellent ministry as mediator of a better covenant, emphasizing His superior role.