Lexical Summary automatos: Automatic, of its own accord, self-acting Original Word: αὐτόματος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of own accord, of self. From autos and the same as maten; self-moved ("automatic"), i.e. Spontaneous -- of own accord, of self. see GREEK autos see GREEK maten HELPS Word-studies 844 autómatos (from 846 /autós, "self" and maō, "to be ready, eager" which forms the English term, "automatic") – properly, "automatic, self-prompted, ready to go"; inherently disposed; needing no external force (persuasion) to decide or to act. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom autos and perhaps a suff. mat- Definition acting of one's own will, of its own accord NASB Translation itself (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 844: αὐτόματοςαὐτόματος, ἀυτοματον, and αὐτομάτη, ἀυτοματον (from αὐτός and μέμαα to desire eagerly, from the obsolete theme μάω), moved by one's own impulse, or acting without the instigation or intervention of another (from Homer down); often of the earth producing plants of itself, and of the plants themselves and fruits growing without culture; (on its adverbial use cf. Winer's Grammar, § 54, 2): Mark 4:28; (Herodotus 2, 94; 8, 138; Plato, polit., p. 272 a.; (Theophrastus, h., p. 2, 1); Diodorus 1, 8, etc. Leviticus 25:5, 11). of gates opening of their own accord: Acts 12:10 (so in Homer, Iliad 5, 749; Xenophon, Hell. 6, 4, 7; Apoll. Rh. 4, 41; Plutarch, Timol. 12; Nonnus, Dionysius 44, 21; (Dio Cassio, 44, 17)). Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 844 (αὐτόματος, automatos) expresses the idea of something happening “of itself,” without observable human agency. While the term appears only twice in the Greek New Testament, each occurrence illumines a different facet of God’s power: the quiet, unseen growth of His Word (Mark 4:28) and His sovereign intervention in human affairs (Acts 12:10). Occurrences in Scripture 1. Mark 4:28 – In the Parable of the Growing Seed, Jesus says, “All by itself the soil produces grain…”. Here αὐτομάτη underscores the mystery of Kingdom growth. The farmer sows and sleeps, but life comes forth apart from his direct control. Theological Emphases • Divine Sovereignty: Both contexts affirm that God acts without reliance on human mechanisms—He brings growth and deliverance “automatically” according to His purpose. Historical Insight Ancient Greek writers used αὐτόματος for spontaneous natural events or self-moving devices. In Scripture, the Spirit reclaims the word to portray God’s spontaneous activity—contrasting pagan notions of chance with purposeful providence. Ministry Applications • Evangelism and Church Planting: Workers sow and water, yet only God produces growth. Confidence rests not in technique but in the Spirit’s automatic germination of the seed. Related Biblical Themes Seed imagery (Isaiah 55:10-11; 1 Corinthians 3:6-7), divine deliverance (Exodus 14:13-31; Daniel 6:22), and opened gates (Psalm 24:7-10; Revelation 3:7-8) collectively amplify the message that God alone initiates, sustains, and completes His works. Summary Strong’s 844 portrays the effortless efficacy of God’s Word and power. Whether nurturing an unseen harvest or swinging open an iron gate, the Lord acts “of Himself,” inviting His people to labor faithfully, watch expectantly, and rest securely in His sovereign activity. Forms and Transliterations αυτόματα αυτοματη αυτομάτη αὐτομάτη αυτόματος αυτομολούντων ηυτομόλησα ηυτομόλησαν ηυτομόλησεν automate automatē automáte automátēLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 4:28 Adj-NFSGRK: αὐτομάτη ἡ γῆ NAS: produces crops by itself; first KJV: bringeth forth fruit of herself; first INT: Of itself the earth Acts 12:10 Adj-NFS |
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