"pr. to receive from another; to expect, look for, Acts 17:16; to wait for, to wait, 1 Cor. 11:33; 16:11; Heb. 11:10; 10:13; Jas. 5:7*"
Definition and meaning
pr. to receive from another; to expect, look for, Acts 17:16; to wait for, to wait, 1 Cor. 11:33; 16:11; Heb. 11:10; 10:13; Jas. 5:7*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἐκδέχομαι
Historical context
John wrote for an audience familiar with both Jewish Scripture and Greek philosophy. The logos — the Word — was a term Greek philosophers used for the rational principle underlying the universe. John takes that concept and says: that logos became a person and lived among us. Crucifixion was the Roman execution method designed to maximize public humiliation, reserved for slaves and rebels.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of ekdechomai (G1551) across the King James Bible.
In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.
Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.
From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G1551 (ekdechomai) is a Greek word that means: pr. to receive from another; to expect, look for, Acts 17:16; to wait for, to wait, 1 Cor. 11:33; 16:11; Heb. 11:10; 10:13; Jas. 5:7* It appears 8 times in the King James Bible.
The word ekdechomai (G1551) appears 8 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1551 is ekdechomai, a Greek word defined as: pr. to receive from another; to expect, look for, Acts 17:16; to wait for, to wait, 1 Cor. 11:33; 16:11; Heb. 11:10; 10:13; Jas. 5:7*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
ekdechomai is a Greek word found in the New Testament.