4975. schedon
Lexical Summary
schedon: nearly, almost

Original Word: σχεδόν
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: schedon
Pronunciation: SKHEH-don
Phonetic Spelling: (skhed-on')
KJV: almost
NASB: almost, nearly
Word Origin: [neuter of a presumed derivative of the alternate of G2192 (ἔχω - have) as adverb]

1. nigh, i.e. nearly

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
almost.

Neuter of a presumed derivative of the alternate of echo as adverb; nigh, i.e. Nearly -- almost.

see GREEK echo

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
adverb from echó
Definition
near, nearly
NASB Translation
almost (2), nearly (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 4975: σχεδόν

σχεδόν (ἔχω (σχεῖν), adverb, from Homer down;

1. near, hard by.

2. from Sophocles down (of degree, i. e.) well-nigh, nearly, almost; so in the N. T. three times before πᾶς: Acts 13:44; Acts 19:26; Hebrews 9:22 (but see Winers Grammar, 554 (515) n.; (R. V. I may almost say)); (2 Macc. 5:2; 3Macc. 5:14).

Topical Lexicon
Overview of Biblical Usage

The adverb appears three times in the Greek New Testament, always to express a situation that is virtually complete yet still short of absolute totality. Whether describing an eager crowd, an expansive missionary impact, or the breadth of Mosaic ceremony, the term underscores how close something can come to fullness without quite reaching “all.”

Acts: Evangelistic Expansion

Acts 13:44 records the aftermath of Paul’s inaugural synagogue sermon in Pisidian Antioch: “On the following Sabbath, nearly the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.” The Spirit-empowered proclamation of the gospel drew almost the entire population, illustrating both the magnetic power of the word and the urgency felt by those who had not yet heard it.

A similar force is evident in Acts 19:26, where Demetrius the silversmith laments, “You see and hear that not only at Ephesus but in practically all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great number of people, saying that gods made by hands are not gods at all.” Here the term comes from the lips of an unbeliever who inadvertently testifies to the widespread effectiveness of Paul’s witness. The gospel’s advance is portrayed as so extensive that opponents can only concede it is “practically” everywhere.

Hebrews: Typology and Atonement

Hebrews 9:22 employs the adverb within a theological argument that contrasts the provisional sacrifices of the old covenant with the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ: “In fact, the Law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” The inspired writer balances two truths: the Law prescribed blood for almost every rite of purification, yet there were minor exceptions (such as water for the poor or fire for metal vessels). By using the adverb rather than an absolute term, Scripture guards precision while advancing the main point—that forgiveness ultimately rests on shed blood, a truth consummated at the cross.

Theological Reflections

1. Providence and human response: The Acts occurrences show that gospel advance can approach universality within a locality, yet God’s sovereignty still allows for individual decisions. “Nearly the whole city” heard, but only some believed (Acts 13:48).
2. Precision in revelation: Hebrews 9:22 demonstrates the Bible’s care in distinguishing between what is total and what is almost total. Divine inspiration does not sacrifice accuracy for effect, reinforcing confidence in Scripture’s trustworthiness.
3. Eschatological foretaste: The “nearly” language anticipates the day when every knee will bow (Philippians 2:10). Present evangelism may reach vast numbers without complete penetration, but final consummation will move from “almost all” to “all.”

Practical Ministry Applications

• When measurable gospel influence becomes extensive—whether a packed church, a city-wide outreach, or a regional revival—leaders should rejoice without presuming universal conversion. Genuine discipleship must follow initial interest.
• The believer’s testimony, like Paul’s in Ephesus, can spread broadly enough to unsettle entrenched idolatry. Opposition often verifies effectiveness.
• Pastoral teachers should imitate Hebrews by employing careful language. Exaggeration may erode credibility; truthful nuance commends the message.

Historical Insight

Luke’s consistent use of the term in Acts reflects his medical-historian training; he counts crowds and territories with clinical care. The Epistle to the Hebrews, likely addressed to wavering Jewish believers before the destruction of the Temple, reinforces that almost every Levitical ordinance was blood-based—information fresh in their communal memory. Both writers model how early Christian authors balanced zeal with accuracy.

Intertextual Connections

While the exact adverb is absent from the Septuagint, the concept of “almost” occurs in passages such as Psalms 73:2 (“But as for me, my feet had almost slipped”) and Deuteronomy 32:36 (“He will see that their strength is gone”). The New Testament term aligns with this Hebrew mindset of drawing attention to a threshold moment—dangerously near failure or gloriously near completion—thereby heightening the reader’s attentiveness to divine intervention.

Conclusion

Across narrative, polemic, and doctrinal exposition, the Spirit-inspired authors deploy this understated adverb to magnify God’s work without overstating it. “Nearly” crowds, “practically” entire regions, and “almost” all rituals together highlight a kingdom that is advancing powerfully yet still awaiting its perfect consummation in Christ.

Forms and Transliterations
σχεδον σχεδόν σχεδὸν schedon schedòn
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Englishman's Concordance
Acts 13:44 Adv
GRK: ἐρχομένῳ σαββάτῳ σχεδὸν πᾶσα ἡ
NAS: The next Sabbath nearly the whole city
KJV: sabbath day came almost the whole city
INT: coming Sabbath almost all the

Acts 19:26 Adv
GRK: Ἐφέσου ἀλλὰ σχεδὸν πάσης τῆς
NAS: in Ephesus, but in almost all
KJV: but almost throughout all
INT: of Ephesus but almost of all

Hebrews 9:22 Adv
GRK: καὶ σχεδὸν ἐν αἵματι
NAS: to the Law, [one may] almost [say], all things
KJV: And almost all things are
INT: and almost with blood

Strong's Greek 4975
3 Occurrences


σχεδὸν — 3 Occ.

4974
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