Greek word · G2121

εὔκαιρος

eukairos

opportune

Eukairos: "well-timed, seasonable, opportune," from eu ("good") + kairos ("the right moment, season"). Boētheia: "help, aid, relief," originally running to answer a shout for help, and used of military relief, medical aid and legal support.

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

εὔ-καιρος, -ον

[in LXX: Psalms 104:27 (עֵת), 2Ma.14:29 2Mac 15:20-21, 3Ma.4:11 3Mac 5:44 * ;]

timely, seasonable, suitable (Cremer, 740): ἡμέρα, Mark 6:21 (or empty, as in Byz. and MGr.; see MM, Exp., xiv); βοήθεια, Hebrews 4:16.†

(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 4:16

Range of meaning

Eukairos: "well-timed, seasonable, opportune," from eu ("good") + kairos ("the right moment, season"). Boētheia: "help, aid, relief," originally running to answer a shout for help, and used of military relief, medical aid and legal support.

Against the English

KJV/BSB/WEB/NIV "in (our) time of need" stresses the need. The Greek stresses the timing: help that arrives at the right moment. YLT "seasonable help" is the most literal.

Used elsewhere in the period

Psalm 9:10 in the Greek Old Testament (9:9 in English): "the Lord became a refuge for the poor, a helper (boēthos) at the right times (en eukairiais) in affliction," a close parallel in both words. Hebrews 2:18: "because he himself suffered when tested, he is able to help (boēthēsai) those who are being tested." Hebrews 13:6 quotes Psalm 118:6: "The Lord is my helper (boēthos)."

Similar words

Where it appears

Mark · 1

  1. Mark 6:21 εὐκαίρου opportune

    On Herod’s birthday, her opportunity arose. Herod held a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.

Hebrews · 1

  1. Hebrews 4:16 εὔκαιρον in time of need

    Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

    Here: Literally "good-timed." The help comes at the right moment, when it is actually needed, not too late. English "in time of need" turns this adjective into a phrase about when the help comes.

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