ἄφνω G0869
suddenly, unexpectedly; happening without warning
This adverb means suddenly or unexpectedly, describing events that occur without warning. At Pentecost, 'suddenly' there came from heaven a sound like rushing wind (Acts 2:2). In prison at midnight, 'suddenly' there was a great earthquake freeing Paul and Silas (Acts 16:26). The Maltese people expected Paul to swell up or drop dead from a viper bite, but when he didn't after a long time, they changed their minds 'suddenly' (Acts 28:6). The word emphasizes the unexpected, immediate nature of divine or dramatic intervention.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Marks sudden, unexpected divine intervention or dramatic events. Acts 2:2 describes Pentecost: 'suddenly' (ἄφνω) came the sound of rushing wind from heaven. Acts 16:26 recounts the midnight earthquake: 'suddenly' (ἄφνω) foundations shook and doors opened. Acts 28:6 notes the Maltese waited for Paul to die from the viper, then 'suddenly' (ἄφνω) changed their opinion when nothing happened. The Spanish 'de-repente,' French 'soudainement,' capture the abrupt, unforeseen nature of these divine moments. 3×
AR["فَجأَةً", "فَجْأَةً"]·ben["হঠাৎ"]·DE["ἄφνω"]·EN["suddenly"]·FR["soudainement"]·heb["פִּתְאֹם", "פִּתְאוֹם"]·HI["अचानक"]·ID["tiba-tiba"]·IT["improvvisamente"]·jav["dumadakan", "sakèkal", "ujug-ujug"]·KO["갑자기"]·PT["De-repente", "de-repente"]·RU["Внезапно", "внезапно"]·ES["de-repente"]·SW["ghafla", "ghafula"]·TR["aniden", "birdenbire"]·urd["اچانک"]
Related Senses
H3117 1. day, specific time (2231×)H5704 1. until, unto, as far as (1238×)H8141 1. year, unit of time (880×)H6258 1. and now (421×)G2250 1. day (388×)H5750 1. again, more, further (288×)H5769 1. forever, to eternity (280×)H6256 1. time, period (264×)H2320 1. month, calendar period (260×)H0310a 2. after (temporal) (258×)H3915 1. night, period of darkness (234×)H1242 1. morning (214×)H5750 2. still, yet (continuative) (166×)G5119 1. then (160×)G3568 1. now (147×)G2193 1. until (143×)G3825 1. (141×)G3752 1. (123×)H6153 1. evening, time of day (123×)H0227a 1. then (122×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ἄφνω, adverb unawares, of a sudden, NT+5th c.BC+:—also ἄφνως, Refs