Lexical Summary hénika: When, at the time when Original Word: ἡνίκα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance when. Of uncertain affinity; at which time -- when. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originadverb of uncertain origin Definition at which time NASB Translation whenever* (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2259: ἡνίκαἡνίκα, a relative adverb of time (from Homer down), at which time; when: followed by the present indicative, of a thing that actually takes place, 2 Corinthians 3:15 R G; followed by ἄν with subjunctive present, whensoever: ibid. L T Tr WH; followed by ἄν and the aorist subjunctive with the force of the Latin future perfect, at length when (whensoever it shall have etc.): 2 Corinthians 3:16; Exodus 1:10; Deuteronomy 7:12; Judith 14:2. (On its construction see Winers Grammar, 296f (278f); 308 (289); Buttmann, § 139, 33.) Topical Lexicon Meaning in Narrative Flow Ἡνίκα functions as a temporal hinge, marking the precise moment a condition is met. In Paul’s argument it signals the transition from blindness to sight, from Old Covenant obscurity to New Covenant clarity. The term does not merely locate an event in time; it highlights the decisive nature of the event itself—“the instant when.” Occurrences in Scripture • 2 Corinthians 3:15 — “Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.” Context in 2 Corinthians 3 Paul contrasts two readings of Moses: one veiled, one unveiled. The veil imagery recalls Exodus 34:33-35, where Moses covered his fading glory. Using ἡνίκα, Paul frames two decisive moments: 1. The recurring synagogue moment “when Moses is read,” where unbelief persists. Thus ἡνίκα marks both the persistence of the problem and the instant of its remedy. Theological Significance 1. Sufficiency of Christ: The veil is removed “whenever” one turns to the risen Lord, underscoring the sufficiency and exclusivity of Christ for illumination. Pastoral Application • Preaching and Teaching: Emphasize the “whenever” of faith—salvation and understanding are available at the very moment of turning to Christ, not after prolonged ritual or merit. Historical Usage in Early Church Patristic writers such as Irenaeus and Chrysostom echoed Paul’s timing motif, urging their audiences to seize the “present moment” of grace. Liturgically, readings from the Law were paired with Pauline epistles to illustrate the unveiled fulfillment in Christ, reinforcing the ἡνίκα contrast. Broader Greek and Septuagint Background In the Septuagint, ἡνίκα often introduces covenantal moments (e.g., Genesis 24:30; Exodus 17:11), accentuating critical thresholds in salvation history. Paul taps into this familiar cadence, inviting his readers to hear the same drumbeat of divine intervention now focused on Christ. Summary Insight Ἡνίκα captures the razor-thin line between ignorance and insight. In two verses Paul wields the word to expose the tragedy of a veiled reading of Moses and to celebrate the triumph of an unveiled heart in Christ. As long as Scripture is read, the potential for this decisive “whenever” remains, calling hearers today to turn and see. Forms and Transliterations ηνικα ηνίκα ἡνίκα ηνιόχω ήπαρ ήπατά ήπατι ήπατος enika ēnika henika heníka hēnika hēníkaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Corinthians 3:15 AdvGRK: ἕως σήμερον ἡνίκα ἂν ἀναγινώσκηται NAS: But to this day whenever Moses KJV: unto this day, when Moses INT: unto this day when anyhow is being read 2 Corinthians 3:16 Adv |
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