Lexical Summary tugchanó: To obtain, to happen, to meet, to experience Original Word: τυγχάνω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to obtain, happenProbably for an obsolete tucho (for which the middle voice of another alternate teucho (to make ready or bring to pass) is used in certain tenses; akin to the base of tikto through the idea of effecting; properly, to affect; or (specially), to hit or light upon (as a mark to be reached), i.e. (transitively) to attain or secure an object or end, or (intransitively) to happen (as if meeting with); but in the latter application only impersonal (with ei), i.e. Perchance; or (present participle) as adjective, usual (as if commonly met with, with ou, extraordinary), neuter (as adverb) perhaps; or (with another verb) as adverb, by accident (as it were) -- be, chance, enjoy, little, obtain, X refresh...self, + special. Compare tupto. see GREEK tupto see GREEK tikto see GREEK ei see GREEK ou HELPS Word-studies 5177 tygxánō (from tyxō, "become ready") – properly, to strike (hit the mark, i.e. "spot on," "hit the bullseye"); to light upon, fall in line with; "happen to find oneself" in the scene of life the Lord has already prepared (BAGD; cf. Eph 2:10 with Ps 139:16). [5177 (tygxánō) literally means "hit (the mark)" and therefore opposite to 264 /hamartánō ("to miss the mark"). 5117 (tópos) means "to reach, get, obtain (as in Homer, Xen., etc. al.)" (A-S).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom a prim. root tuch- Definition to hit, hit upon, meet, happen NASB Translation attain (1), attained (1), extraordinary (2), obtain (2), obtained (2), perhaps (3), receive (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5177: τεύχωτεύχω, see τυγχάνω. STRONGS NT 5177: τυγχάνωτυγχάνω; 2 aorist ἐτυχον; perfect (Hebrews 8:6) τέτευχα (so codex B), and (so L T Tr marginal reading WH manuscript א) τετυχα a later and rarer form (which not a few incorrectly think is everywhere to be regarded as a clerical error; Buttmann, 67 (59); Kühner, § 343, under the word; (Veitch, under the word; Phryn. ed. Lob., p. 595; WH's Appendix, p. 171)), in some texts also τετύχηκα (a form common in the earlier writings. (Rutherford, New Phryn., p. 483f, and references as above)); a verb in frequent use from Homer down; "est Latin attingere et contingere; German treffen, c. accusative equivalent toetwas erlangen, neuteres trifft sich." Ast, Platonic Lexicon, under the word; hence, 1. transitive, a. properly, to hit the mark (opposed to ἁμαρτάνειν to miss the mark), of one discharging a javelin or arrow (Homer, Xenophon, Lucian). b. tropically, to reach, attain, obtain, get, become master of: with a genitive of the thing (Winer's Grammar, 200 (188)), Luke 20:35 (Winer's Grammar, 609 (566)); Acts 24:2(3); 2. intransitive, to happen, chance, fall out: εἰ τύχοι (if it so fall out), it may be, perhaps (frequent in secular authors), 1 Corinthians 14:10, where see Meyer; or, considered in reference to the topic in hand, it may be equivalent to to specify, to take a case, as, for example, 1 Corinthians 15:37 (Vulg. in each passageut puta; (cf. Meyer as above)); τυχόν, adverbially, perhaps, it may be, 1 Corinthians 16:6 (cf. Buttmann, § 145, 8; (Winers Grammar, § 45, 8 N. 1); see examples from Greek writings in Passow, under the word, II. 2 b.; (Liddell and Scott, under the word B. III. 2; Sophocles Lexicon, under the word)). to meet one; hence, ὁ τυχών, he who meets one or presents himself unsought, any chance, ordinary, common person (see Passow, under the word, II. 2; (Liddell and Scott, under the word, A. II. 1 b.; Sophocles' Lexicon, under the word)): οὐ τυχών, not common, i. e. eminent, exceptional (A. V. special), Acts 19:11; Acts 28:2 (3Macc. 3:7); to chance to be: ἡμιθανῆ τυγχάνοντα, half dead as he happened to be, just as he was, Luke 10:30 R G. (Compare: ἐντυγχάνω, ὑπερεντυγχάνω, ἐπιτυγχάνω, παρατυγχάνω, συντυγχάνω.) STRONGS NT 5177: τυχόντυχόν, see τυγχάνω, 2. Strong’s Greek 5177 (τυγχάνω) portrays the act of “hitting upon” or “meeting with” something—whether a person, a circumstance, or a benefit—always under the overruling providence of God. The term can stress (1) the receiving of a gracious portion, (2) the experiencing of an unforeseen circumstance, or (3) the arriving at a desired outcome. In every case the New Testament frames the “happening” as ultimately governed by the Lord’s sovereign ordering of events. Spectrum of New Testament Usage 1. Receiving a divinely allotted mercy or privilege (Hebrews 8:6; 2 Timothy 2:10; Hebrews 11:35). Representative Passages Hebrews 8:6 — “But now, Christ has obtained a more excellent ministry…” Here τέτυχεν underscores the certainty of the Son’s successful mediation; His “obtaining” is not accidental but the outworking of God’s eternal decree. Luke 20:35 — “But those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead…” The verb tυχεῖν points to the believer’s future participation in resurrection life as a gift obtained, not earned. Acts 27:3 — “The next day we landed at Sidon, and Julius treated Paul kindly and allowed him to go to his friends to receive their care.” The seeming “chance” kindness of a Roman centurion reflects God’s hidden guidance. 2 Timothy 2:10 — “Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.” Paul’s hope is that the elect will “obtain” (τύχωσιν) salvation—again highlighting an assured outcome inside God’s plan. Acts 19:11 — “God did extraordinary miracles through the hands of Paul.” The participle τυχούσας (“extraordinary”) marks miracles that transcend normal expectations, showing that divine agency overrides natural possibility. Old Testament Echoes Septuagint usage regularly links τυγχάνω with “finding favor” (e.g., Genesis 18:3; Ruth 2:2). What appeared as “chance” in human sight was Yahweh’s providence directing covenant mercy. The New Testament writers inherit this worldview, refusing to concede any realm to random fate. Theological Significance Providence vs. Chance: Scripture never attributes “luck” to impersonal forces. Every 5177 occurrence, even when narrating routine events, is nestled in a context where God rules outcomes (Proverbs 16:33). Grace Received, Not Achieved: Whether priestly ministry (Hebrews 8:6) or resurrection glory (Luke 20:35), the blessings “obtained” are not self-wrought achievements but divinely bestowed fortunes. Mission and Endurance: Paul’s resolve (2 Timothy 2:10; Acts 26:22) shows that confidence in God’s purposes empowers sacrificial service until people “obtain” salvation. Practical Ministry Implications Pastoral Care: Encourage saints to reinterpret seeming coincidences as evidences of a caring Father (Acts 27:3; Acts 28:2). Evangelism: Proclaim salvation as a gift to be “obtained” through faith, not a goal attained by merit (2 Timothy 2:10). Worship and Liturgy: Celebrate Christ’s “more excellent ministry” already “obtained” (Hebrews 8:6) as the ground of assured access to God. Discipleship: Teach believers to sow faithfully (1 Corinthians 15:37), leaving the specific “body” God grants to His sovereign wisdom. Homiletical Insights • From “Happenstance” to Providence—Acts 28:2 invites sermons on God hiding grace in unexpected places. Summary Strong’s 5177 traverses the terrain between daily contingencies and eternal certainties, consistently asserting that whatever a believer “happens upon” is, in truth, what the Lord has lovingly assigned. Englishman's Concordance Luke 20:35 V-ANAGRK: αἰῶνος ἐκείνου τυχεῖν καὶ τῆς NAS: who are considered worthy to attain to that age KJV: they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that INT: age that to obtain and the Acts 19:11 V-APA-AFP Acts 24:2 V-PPA-NMP Acts 26:22 V-APA-NMS Acts 27:3 V-ANA Acts 28:2 V-APA-AFS 1 Corinthians 14:10 V-AOA-3S 1 Corinthians 15:37 V-AOA-3S 1 Corinthians 16:6 V-APA-ANS 2 Timothy 2:10 V-ASA-3P Hebrews 8:6 V-RIA-3S Hebrews 11:35 V-ASA-3P Strong's Greek 5177 |
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