Greek word · G4975

σχεδόν

schedon

nearly

Nearly, almost, all but. Used to soften a generalisation.

Appears 3 times in 3 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

σχέδον

adv. (ἔχω), [in LXX: 2Ma.5:2, 3Ma.5:14 3Mac 5:45 * ;]

1. of place, near.

2. Of degree, almost, nearly: Acts 13:44 19:26, Hebrews 9:22.†

(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 9:22

Range of meaning

Nearly, almost, all but. Used to soften a generalisation.

Against the English

BSB, WEB and NLT have "nearly", and KJV and ESV have "almost". NASB has "one may almost say", which takes it as qualifying the whole statement. All are accurate. The word is often dropped when the verse is quoted.

Used elsewhere in the period

Found in the NT only at Luke 13:44 (some manuscripts), Acts 13:44, Acts 19:26 and here. The Law itself has non-blood purifications: fine flour for the poor (Lev 5:11–13), water for washing clothes and bodies (Lev 15; 16:26, 28), fire and water for metal spoils (Num 31:22–23), incense to stop a plague (Num 16:46–47), and gold or silver as atonement money (Exod 30:15–16; Num 31:50).

Where it appears

Acts · 2

  1. Acts 13:44 σχεδὸν almost

    On the following Sabbath, nearly the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.

  2. Acts 19:26 σχεδὸν almost

    And you can see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in nearly the whole province of Asia, this Paul has persuaded a great number of people to turn away. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all.

    Here: 'Nearly.' A rhetorical hedge that still claims a huge reach. It matches Luke's own summary in 19:10 that 'all who lived in Asia heard the word.'

Hebrews · 1

  1. Hebrews 9:22 σχεδὸν almost

    According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

    Here: A deliberate hedge. The author knows the Law has exceptions (water, fire, flour, incense) and does not overstate. Placed first, it qualifies the whole claim about blood cleansing everything.

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