Lexical Summary hekatontaetés: A hundred years old Original Word: ἑκατονταετής Strong's Exhaustive Concordance hundred years old. From hekaton and etos; centenarian -- hundred years old. see GREEK hekaton see GREEK etos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom hekaton and etos Definition a hundred years old NASB Translation hundred years old (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1541: ἑκατονταετήςἑκατονταετής (R G T), ἑκατονταετες, and ἑκατονταετής (L Tr WH), ἑκατονταετες (from ἑκατόν and ἔτος; on the want of uniformity in accentuation among authors, copyists, and grammarians see Lob. ad Phryn., p. 406f; Winers Grammar, § 6, 1 b.; Buttmann, 29 (26); (Tdf. Proleg., p. 102; Ellendt, Lex. Sophocles under the word δεκέτης; especially Chandler §§ 703, 709; Göttling, p. 323f)), centenarian, a hundred years old: Romans 4:19. (Pindar Pythagoras 4, 502.) Topical Lexicon Occurrence and Immediate ContextἙκατονταετής, “one a hundred years of age,” appears a single time in the Greek New Testament—Romans 4:19. There Paul highlights the astonishing faith of Abraham, noting that “he was about a hundred years old” when he trusted God for the promised son. The word functions as a temporal milestone that magnifies divine power against the backdrop of human frailty. Abraham’s Age as a Testament to God’s Promise Romans 4:19 alludes to Genesis 17:17 and Genesis 21:5, where Abraham’s centenarian status frames the birth of Isaac. Scripture repeatedly emphasizes this age to underline two realities: 1. Natural impossibility: Both Abraham’s advanced years and Sarah’s barrenness eliminate any human basis for the fulfillment. Paul invokes the term to reinforce his argument that justification rests on faith in the God “who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not” (Romans 4:17). Theological Significance Faith over sight The centenarian reference challenges believers to trust God when circumstances appear hopeless. Abraham “did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God” (Romans 4:20), illustrating that faith transcends empirical limitations. Divine initiative in salvation history Abraham’s age at Isaac’s birth symbolizes the new life God initiates by grace. Isaac, the child of promise, anticipates the greater fulfillment in Christ, through whom believers become heirs according to faith (Galatians 4:28). Historical Perspective on Longevity Old Testament genealogies (e.g., Genesis 5; 11) record lifespans far exceeding a hundred years, yet by Abraham’s era a century already marked extreme old age (cf. Genesis 17:17). Post-Flood longevity declines (Psalm 90:10), making the birth of a son to a centenarian couple all the more remarkable to ancient readers. Ministry and Pastoral Implications Encouragement to seniors Abraham’s usefulness at one hundred affirms that God calls and empowers believers at every age. Ministry relevance does not expire with advanced years (Psalm 92:14). Strength for the weary The term invites pastors to remind congregations that perceived dead-ends—physical, relational, vocational—remain arenas for divine intervention (Isaiah 40:29-31). Foreshadowing and Typology Isaac’s miraculous conception prefigures the virgin birth of Jesus: both births occur outside natural possibility and serve redemptive purposes. The mention of Abraham’s centenarian status strengthens this parallel, underscoring the pattern of God bringing life where life is impossible. Connections to Covenant and Promise Circumcision, instituted when Abraham was ninety-nine (Genesis 17:24), and the promised son at one hundred bind together covenant sign and covenant fulfillment. Romans 4 weaves these themes to demonstrate that righteousness is credited apart from works, sealing Abraham as “father of all who believe” (Romans 4:11). Summary The lone New Testament occurrence of ἑκατονταετής operates as more than a numerical detail; it is a theological foothold. By spotlighting Abraham’s hundredth year, Scripture accentuates God’s faithfulness, calls believers to unwavering trust, and unfolds a pattern of grace that reaches its climax in Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations εκατονταετεί εκατονταετης εκατονταέτης ἑκατονταετής ekatontaetes ekatontaetēs hekatontaetes hekatontaetēs hekatontaetḗsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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