Lexical Summary brachus: Short, little, brief Original Word: βραχύς Strong's Exhaustive Concordance few words, little space. Of uncertain affinity; short (of time, place, quantity, or number) -- few words, little (space, while). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition short, little NASB Translation briefly* (1), little (3), little while (2), short time (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1024: βραχύςβραχύς, βραχεια, βραχύ, short, small, little (from Pindar, Herodotus, Thucydides down); a. of place; neuter βραχύ adverbially, a short distance, a little: Acts 27:28 (2 Samuel 16:1; Thucydides 1, 63). b. of time; βραχύ τί a short time, for a little while: Hebrews 2:7, 9, (where the writer transfers to time what the Sept. in Psalm 8:6 says of rank); Acts 5:34 (here L T Tr WH omit τί); μετά βραχύ shortly after, Luke 22:58. c. of quantity and measure; βραχύ τί (Tr text WH omits; L Tr marginal reading brackets τί) some little part, a little: John 6:7 (βραχύ τί τοῦ μέλιτος, 1 Samuel 14:29; ἔλαιον βραχύ, Josephus, Antiquities 9, 4, 2; βραχυτατος λιβανωτός, Philo de vict. off. § 4); διά βραχέων in few namely, words, briefly, Hebrews 13:22 (so (Plato, Demosthenes, others (cf. Bleek on Hebrews, the passage cited)) Josephus, b. j. 4, 5, 4; ἐν βραχυτάτω δηλουν to show very briefly, Xenophon, Cyril 1, 2, 15). The term rendered “short,” “little,” or “brief” points to limitation—of time, space, quantity, or rank. Whether describing a momentary delay, a small allowance, or the temporary humiliation of the Son of God, its recurring note is transience in contrast with God’s larger purposes. Occurrences in the New Testament • Luke 22:58 – Peter’s second denial occurs “a short time later,” underscoring how swiftly fear can overtake a disciple. Semantic Nuance 1. Temporal brevity – “a short time later” (Luke 22:58); “for a short time” (Acts 5:34). Christological Significance (Hebrews 2:7, 9) The citation of Psalm 8 announces that the incarnate Son descended only “a little” beneath angelic glory. The limitation was: His brief humiliation secures everlasting dominion, proving that what is temporary in God’s plan often achieves what is eternal. Pastoral and Narrative Function In Luke, Acts, and John the word sets pacing. Moments that appear insignificant—minutes by a fire, brief deliberation in a council, incremental soundings of a ship—turn pivotal. God works through these “short” intervals to expose denial, preserve His messengers, and deliver Paul from shipwreck. Ministry Application • Valuing the Moment – Small windows of obedience or counsel may alter destinies. Historical and Rabbinic Context Jewish teaching often contrasted “this short age” with “the age to come.” Gamaliel’s measured pause (Acts 5:34) reflects a rabbinic instinct to deliberate before judgment. The Epistle to the Hebrews draws from that same tradition, yet centers all anticipation on the Messiah whose fleeting suffering ushers in everlasting glory. Theological Emphasis Scripture’s consistent treatment of the word confirms divine sovereignty over both the minute and the monumental. What is “short” to humankind is appointed by the eternal God, and in His redemptive economy even the briefest episode serves the unfolding plan that culminates in the exaltation of Jesus Christ. Englishman's Concordance Luke 22:58 Adj-ANSGRK: καὶ μετὰ βραχὺ ἕτερος ἰδὼν NAS: A little later, another KJV: And after a little while another saw INT: And after a little another having seen John 6:7 Adj-ANS Acts 5:34 Adj-ANS Acts 27:28 Adj-ANS Hebrews 2:7 Adj-ANS Hebrews 2:9 Adj-ANS Hebrews 13:22 Adj-GNP Strong's Greek 1024 |
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