ωδε

The word ωδε is normally used with the meaning "here" in reference to a physical location. There are, however, a number of passages in which the word is used somewhat differently.

In Dan 7:28 we read, עד כה סופא די מלתא "up to this point goes the end of the revelation". The Theodotian LXX translates this with εως ωδε το περας του λογου, in which ωδε marks the point in the text where the revelation ends. Note that ωδε translates the Aramaic adverb כה, which means "here". There are also similar examples in Hebrew in which the word הנה "here" is used to mark an ending point. We find עד הנה משפט מואב "up to this point is the verdict concerning Moab" (Jer 48:47) and עד הנה דברי ירמיהו "up to this point are the words of Jeremiah" (Jer 51:64).

In 1Ki 20:40, ויהי עבדך עשה הנה והנה "and it came to pass that thy servant was busy here and there" is rendered και εγενηθη περιεβλεψατο ο δουλος σου ωδε και ωδε. Thus, "here and there" is expressed by ωδε και ωδε.

In the LXX, the word ωδε been used in reference to time in 1Ki 18:45, in which עד כה ועד כה "in the meanwhile" was translated εως ωδε και ωδε.

There are several New Testament passages in which the word ωδε does not refer to a physical location.

(Heb 7:8) και ωδε μεν δεκατας αποθνησκοντες ανθρωποι λαμβανουσιν εκει δε μαρτυρουμενος οτι ζη

In Heb 7:8, ωδε "here" refers to something that was happening at the time when the text was written (note the present tense of εχουσιν "they have" in Heb 7:5), while εκει "there" refers to something that had taken place a long time ago (Heb 7:6).

(Rev 13:10) ει τις αιχμαλωσιαν συναγει εις αιχμαλωσιαν υπαγει ει τις εν μαχαιρα αποκτενει δει αυτον εν μαχαιρα αποκτανθηναι ωδε εστιν η υπομονη και η πιστις των αγιων

(Rev 13:18) ωδε η σοφια εστιν ο εχων τον νουν ψηφισατω τον αριθμον του θηριου αριθμος γαρ ανθρωπου εστιν και ο αριθμος αυτου χξς

(Rev 14:12) ωδε υπομονη των αγιων εστιν ωδε οι τηρουντες τας εντολας του θεου και την πιστιν ιησου

(Rev 17:9) ωδε ο νους ο εχων σοφιαν αι επτα κεφαλαι ορη εισιν επτα οπου η γυνη καθηται επ αυτων

In Rev 13:10 we read, " ... Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints", that is, "At this point is manifested the perseverance and the faith of the saints." Rev 13:18 has, "Here is wisdom ... ", that is, "At this point is a man's wisdom manifested ... ". Rev 14:12 states, "Here is the perseverance of the saints. Here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." This is interpreted as stating that "At this point is the perseverance of the saints manifested. At this point are manifested those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.". Finally, in Rev 17:9 we read, "Here is the mind that has wisdom ... ", that is, "At this point is manifested the mind that has wisdom ... ". In these four passages from Revelation, the word ωδε conveys the meaning "at this point, in this". It is therefore interesting to note that the word ωδε has been used in the translation of בזה "in this" in a few Old Testament verses. There are several Old Testament passages in which בזה "in this" appears with the meaning "here", and מזה "from this" with the meaning "from here". While בזה and מזה are not used exclusively this way (see Ec 7:18, 1Sa 16:8-9, 2Ki 19:21, Is 37:22), the meanings "here" and "from here", respectively, are common for these words. מזה has been translated often with εντευθεν, such as in Ge 37:17, 42:15. Moreover, בזה has been translated typically with ενταυθα, such as in Nu 23:1, 1Sa 9:11. Among other words¹ that have been used to translate בזה, we find ωδε in Ge 38:22 and Nu 23:29. Now בזה should be distinguished from בזאת "in this thing, matter", which has been translated typically² with εν τουτω, such as in Ge 34:22, 42:33.

Notes:

(1) In addition to ενταυθα, the other translations of בזה with the meaning "here" are αυτου in Ex 24:14, Nu 22:19, ωδε in Ge 38:22, Nu 23:29, and εν τω τοπω τουτω in Jdg 18:3. בזה does not refer to a place in 1Sa 16:8-9, 2Ki 19:21, Is 37:22, Ec 7:18. [Back]

(2) In addition to εν τουτω, the other translations of בזאת are εν ταυτη in 1Sa 11:2, Ps 27:3, δια τουτο in 2Ch 19:2, εν τουτοις in 1Ch 27:24, Eze 16:29, επι τουτοις in Lev 26:27, and ουτως in Lev 16:3. [Back]