Lexical Summary posakis: How often, how many times Original Word: ποσάκις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance how often. Multiplicative from posos; how many times -- how oft(-en). see GREEK posos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origininterrog. adverb from posos Definition how often? NASB Translation how often (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4212: ποσάκιςποσάκις (πόσος), adverb, how often: Matthew 18:21; Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34. ((Platos epistle, Aristotle, others.)) Topical Lexicon Occurrences and ScopeMatthew 18:21; Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34. In each case the adverb highlights repeated, even habitual, action rather than a single event. Literary Function Used in direct speech, the term magnifies intensity: Peter seeks a numeric limit for forgiveness; Jesus laments Jerusalem with a sweep of centuries in view. It therefore amplifies both human concern for boundaries and divine insistence on boundless grace. Forgiveness within the Community (Matthew 18:21) “Then Peter came to Him and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?’”. Divine Persistence toward Israel (Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34) “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling.” (Matthew 23:37; cf. Luke 13:34). Historical and Rabbinic Background First-century Judaism prized measurable obedience; rabbinic discussion often revolved around numeric thresholds. In contrast, Jesus’ teaching and self-revelation via this adverb sweep beyond such limits, locating righteousness in God’s inexhaustible character rather than in calculable quotas. Intertextual Echoes Old Testament laments (“How long, LORD?” Psalm 13:1) and invitations (“Turn, turn… why will you die?” Ezekiel 33:11) resonate behind the Gospel usages, showing continuity between prophetic longing and Messiah’s personal grief. Pastoral and Homiletical Insights 1. Persistent Forgiveness: Leaders and congregants alike are admonished to mirror God’s limitless pardon. Applications in Discipleship • Personal Relationships: Keep no tally of grievances; practice proactive reconciliation. Summary Strong’s 4212 serves as a verbal spotlight on the immeasurable frequency of both God’s overtures and the forgiveness He commands. It captures the rhythm of redemptive history—unceasing divine invitation met with halting human response—and calls every disciple to participate in that same relentless grace. Forms and Transliterations ποσακις ποσάκις ποσαπλώς posakis posákisLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 18:21 AdvGRK: αὐτῷ Κύριε ποσάκις ἁμαρτήσει εἰς NAS: to Him, Lord, how often shall my brother KJV: Lord, how oft shall my INT: to him master how often will sin against Matthew 23:37 Adv Luke 13:34 Adv |