ἐξάπῐν-ᾰ G1819
suddenly, unexpectedly; happening without warning or in an instant
This adverb means suddenly or unexpectedly, marking an abrupt change or surprising event. Mark 9:8 describes the disciples' experience at the Transfiguration: 'Suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only.' The term emphasizes the instant return to normalcy after the glorious theophany. Classical and biblical usage marks unexpected moments. Mark uses it to capture the disorienting shift: one moment Moses and Elijah converse with transfigured Jesus; the next, only Jesus remains.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Mark 9:8 describes the end of the Transfiguration: ἐξάπινα—'suddenly'—looking around they saw only Jesus. The adverb marks the abrupt transition from glory back to ordinary reality. Moses and Elijah vanish; the radiance fades; Jesus alone remains. Spanish de repente and French soudainement capture the unexpectedness. The Transfiguration's conclusion is as instantaneous as its beginning: glory appears and disappears suddenly, leaving disciples alone with Jesus—which is enough. 1×
AR["فَجْأَةً"]·ben["হঠাৎ"]·DE["ploetzlich"]·EN["suddenly"]·FR["soudainement"]·heb["פִּתְאֹם"]·HI["अचानक"]·ID["tiba-tiba"]·IT["exapina"]·jav["dumadakan"]·KO["갑자기"]·PT["de-repente"]·RU["внезапно"]·ES["de-repente"]·SW["ghafla"]·TR["aniden"]·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
ἐξάπῐν-ᾰ [ᾰπ], later form of ἐξαπίνης, LXX+NT+2nd c.AD+.