Greek word · G1561

ἐκδοχή

ekdochē

expectation

In wider Greek it mostly means "receiving", "succession" or "interpretation". The sense "expectation, awaiting", taken from the verb ekdechomai ("to wait for"), is rare. Hebrews 10:27 is the main example (BDAG).

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἐκ-δοχή ῆς, ἡ

(ἐκδέχομαι);

1. in cl.,

(a) a receiving from, succession;

(b) an interpretation.

2. In NT, = προσδοκία, expectation: Hebrews 10:27 (cf. Field, Notes, 231; Cremer, 688).†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Hebrews 10:27

Range of meaning

In wider Greek it mostly means "receiving", "succession" or "interpretation". The sense "expectation, awaiting", taken from the verb ekdechomai ("to wait for"), is rare. Hebrews 10:27 is the main example (BDAG).

Against the English

"Expectation" (BSB, WEB, modern versions) and "looking for" (KJV, YLT) are both accurate. The English can sound like a mood or forecast, but the Greek is closer to someone standing and waiting for something that is certainly on its way.

Used elsewhere in the period

Rare in this sense. The related verb is common in Hebrews: 10:13, Christ "waiting" until his enemies are made a footstool (Ps 110:1), and 11:10, Abraham "waiting" for the city.

Where it appears

Hebrews · 1

  1. Hebrews 10:27 ἐκδοχὴ expectation

    but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries.

    Here: The act of waiting for something that is coming. Used only here in the New Testament. It echoes 10:13, where Christ is *waiting* (ekdechomenos) for his enemies to be put under his feet. The person who turns away now waits on the other side of that same event.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.