Mechri (also mechris before vowels) functions as both a preposition with the genitive and a conjunction, marking the terminus — spatial or temporal — up to which something extends. Of its 18 New Testament occurrences, temporal uses predominate. Matthew 28:15 reports that the story of the stolen body 'has been spread among the Jews to this day' (mechri tes semeron), and Matthew 11:23 warns that Capernaum will be brought down 'to Hades' (mechri hadou), one of the rare spatial uses. Paul pushes the word to its theological limit in Philippians 2:8, declaring that Christ was obedient 'to the point of death' (mechri thanatou) — even death on a cross — where mechri marks not a mere endpoint but a climactic extreme. Ephesians 4:13 envisions growth 'until we all attain to the unity of the faith.' Hebrews uses it for temporal perseverance: striving against sin 'to the point of blood' (Heb 12:4) and remaining faithful 'until the end' (Heb 3:6, 14). Mark 13:30 promises that this generation will not pass away 'until all these things take place.' Spanish 'hasta,' French 'jusqu'a,' and German 'bis' map the boundary-marking function exactly.