3635. okneó

Lexicon

okneó: To hesitate, to delay, to shrink back

Original Word: ὀκνέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: okneó
Pronunciation: ok-neh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (ok-neh'-o)
Definition: To hesitate, to delay, to shrink back
Meaning: I delay, hesitate, am slow.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

delay.

From oknos (hesitation); to be slow (figuratively, loath) -- delay.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from oknos (shrinking, hesitation)
Definition
to shrink (from doing), to hesitate (to do)
NASB Translation
delay (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3635: ὀκνέω

ὀκνέω, ό᾿κνω: 1 aorist ώ᾿κνησα; (ὄκνος (perhaps allied with the frequent.cunc-tari (cf. Curtius, p. 708)) delay); from Homer down; to feel loath, to be slow; to delay, hesitate: followed by an infinitive Acts 9:38. (Numbers 22:16; Judges 18:9, etc.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek root ὀκνός (oknós), meaning "hesitant" or "timid."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of hesitation or reluctance in the Hebrew Bible can be related to several Hebrew terms, though there is no direct equivalent to ὀκνέω. Some related Hebrew words include:
• Strong's Hebrew 6101 (עָצֵל, ʿāṣēl): Often translated as "sluggard" or "lazy," reflecting a similar reluctance to act.
• Strong's Hebrew 6315 (פָּחַד, pāḥad): Meaning "to fear" or "to be afraid," which can lead to hesitation.
• Strong's Hebrew 3808 (לֹא, lōʾ): Used in contexts of negation, sometimes implying a refusal or reluctance to act.

These Hebrew terms, while not direct equivalents, capture aspects of the hesitation and reluctance conveyed by ὀκνέω in the Greek New Testament.

Usage: The verb ὀκνέω is used in the New Testament to describe a reluctance or hesitation to act, often due to fear or uncertainty. It conveys a sense of holding back or being unwilling to proceed with an action.

Context: The Greek verb ὀκνέω appears in the New Testament in contexts where individuals exhibit hesitation or reluctance. This hesitation can stem from fear, doubt, or a lack of confidence. The term is used to describe a state of mind where one is not fully committed to taking action, often due to perceived risks or uncertainties.

In the Berean Standard Bible, ὀκνέω is translated in a way that captures this sense of hesitation. For example, in Matthew 25:26, the master rebukes the servant for being "wicked and lazy," where "lazy" reflects the servant's reluctance to act on the master's instructions. This usage highlights the moral implications of hesitation, suggesting that such reluctance can be seen as a failure to fulfill one's responsibilities or duties.

The concept of ὀκνέω is significant in understanding the biblical perspective on faith and action. The New Testament often encourages believers to act with confidence and trust in God's guidance, contrasting with the hesitancy implied by ὀκνέω. This term serves as a reminder of the importance of overcoming fear and doubt to fulfill one's calling and responsibilities.

Forms and Transliterations

οκνηρίαις οκνήσαι οκνησης οκνήσης ὀκνήσῃς οκνήσητε oknḗseis oknḗsēis okneses oknēsēs

Englishman's Concordance

Acts 9:38 V-ASA-2S
GRK: παρακαλοῦντες Μὴ ὀκνήσῃς διελθεῖν ἕως
NAS: to him, imploring him, Do not delay in coming
KJV: not delay to come
INT: imploring [him] not to delay to come to

Strong's Greek 3635
1 Occurrence

ὀκνήσῃς — 1 Occ.