ὀκνέω

From the study of Acts 9:38

Range of meaning

To shrink back from something, hesitate, be reluctant or slow to act. The cause can be fear, caution, laziness or simple reluctance. Its relatives okneros ('slothful', Matt 25:26; Rom 12:11) and oknos ('sluggishness') lean toward slowness.

Against the English

'Delay' (BSB, KJV, WEB, YLT) fits the main point, which is speed. 'Hesitate' keeps the extra nuance: they are asking Peter not to hold back, whether from inconvenience, the interruption to his work, or uncertainty about what he could do.

Used elsewhere in the period

This is the only use in the New Testament. In everyday Greek letters on papyrus, 'do not hesitate' (mē oknēsēs) was a common polite phrase, as in 'don't hesitate to write to me' (Moulton & Milligan). The Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) has a very close match in Numbers 22:16, where Balak's envoys tell Balaam, 'Do not hesitate to come to me' (mē oknēsēs elthein pros me). It also appears in Judges 18:9 LXX, 'do not hesitate to go'.

From the study of Sirach 7:35

Range of meaning

To hesitate, shrink from, hold back, be reluctant or lazy about something. The related noun oknos means sloth or reluctance, and the adjective oknēros means lazy or hesitant.

Against the English

KJV and Brenton have 'be not slow,' and WEB has 'don't be slow.' A modern reader hears pace. The Greek is about will: not dragging your feet, not making excuses, not shrinking from it.

How it drifted

'Slow' in older English also meant sluggish or reluctant (as in 'slow to anger'). Readers today mostly hear speed.

Used elsewhere in the period

In Acts 9:38 Peter is asked 'do not delay [mē oknēsēs] to come to us,' an urgent request to come to someone who has died. The Greek Proverbs calls the sluggard ho oknēros (Prov 6:6, 'go to the ant, O sluggard'). Classical Greek uses the verb for shrinking from danger or effort.