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G1835 · Greek · New Testament
ἑξήκοντα
hexekonta
Adjective (numeral)
sixty

Definition

Hexekonta is the Greek word for sixty. It appears in the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:8; Mark 4:8) where good soil yields 'thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold.' It also appears in 1 Timothy 5:9 (a widow enrolled must be 'not less than sixty years old') and in Revelation's '666' (hexakosioi hexekonta hex). Numbers in Scripture are often symbolic, and sixty represents a substantial but not maximal harvest.

Usage & Theological Significance

In the Parable of the Sower, hexekonta (sixty) represents genuine but varying fruitfulness among true disciples. Not all good soil produces equally, but all produces substantially. The sixty-fold and hundred-fold hearer both inherit the kingdom. This is grace for the ordinary believer: not every disciple produces Pauline fruit. Some produce thirty, some sixty, some a hundred — all are valid, all are welcomed. The theology of varied fruitfulness frees believers from the tyranny of comparison while calling all to maximum faithfulness.

Key Verses

Matthew 13:8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty [hexekonta], some thirty.
Mark 4:8 And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.
1 Timothy 5:9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty [hexekonta] years of age.
Luke 24:13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles [hexekonta stadia] from Jerusalem.
John 15:5 Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.

Related Words

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