ἐξω-τέρω G1857
outer, exterior; positioned farther outside than something else
This adjective describes what is positioned on the outside, beyond an inner area. In all three New Testament occurrences—exclusively in Matthew's Gospel—it appears in the stark phrase 'outer darkness,' describing the place of exclusion from God's kingdom where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. The comparative force ('more outside') underscores the severity of separation from the light and joy of God's presence.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Every language witness points to 'outer' or 'exterior' positioning—Spanish exterior/de-afuera, French extérieur, German ἐξώτερον. Matthew uses this term exclusively in the haunting phrase 'the outer darkness' (8:12, 22:13, 25:30), depicting the ultimate spatial and relational separation from God's banquet. The term's comparative root (from ἔξω, 'outside') intensifies the sense of being pushed farther from the center, reinforcing the tragedy of exclusion from the kingdom. 3×
AR["الخارِجيَّةِ", "الْخَارِجِيَّةِ", "خارِجَةِ"]·ben["বাইরের"]·DE["ἐξώτερον"]·EN["outer"]·FR["extérieur"]·heb["הַחִיצוֹן", "חִיצוֹנִי"]·HI["बाहरी"]·ID["yang-paling-luar"]·IT["exoteron"]·jav["ingkang-njawi-sanget", "jawi-pisan"]·KO["바깥", "바깥의"]·PT["exteriores", "exteriores;"]·RU["внешнюю", "внешнюю;"]·ES["de-afuera", "exterior"]·SW["huko", "la-nje", "la-nje,"]·TR["dışardaki", "dışarıdaki", "en-dışarıdaki"]·urd["باہری", "بیرونی"]
Related Senses
H8033 1. There (locative adverb) (835×)H7760a 1. put, place, set physically (444×)H8064 1. heavens / sky (329×)H5439 1. around, all around (spatial) (319×)H4057b 1. wilderness, desert region (270×)H3220 1. sea, body of water (269×)H0520a 1. cubit (unit of length) (246×)H0127 1. ground, land (territory) (210×)H3383 1. Jordan River (proper noun) (183×)G1093 1. earth, the world (176×)H5800a 1. forsake, abandon (Qal active) (166×)H8121 1. sun (celestial body) (133×)H7126 1. offer, present sacrificially (122×)H6828 1. north, cardinal direction (120×)H2351 1. outside, exterior space (119×)H5104 1. river, stream (119×)H7341 1. width, breadth (101×)G1563 1. there (95×)H7126 2. draw near, approach (95×)G2281 1. sea, large body of water (91×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ἐξω-τέρω, adverb, comparative of ἔξω, more outside, δρόμου ἐ. LXX+4th c.BC+:—hence later, adjective ἐξώτερος, outer, LXX+NT+4th c.AD+