WG: Shortly / Quickly (ταχύς Family)¶
Overview¶
The Greek concept of quickness/swiftness/imminence is expressed through a tightly unified word family derived from the root adjective ταχύς (G5036, "swift"). The family includes a noun, two adverbs, a comparative, and a derived adjective — all carrying the core idea of brevity in time or swiftness in action. In NT usage, the cluster frequently describes eschatological urgency (especially in Revelation and Luke) and moral promptness (in Paul's pastoral letters).
Word Group Members¶
| Strong's | Word | Transliteration | POS | Occurrences | Role in Concept | Library Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G5036 | ταχύς | tachýs | adjective | — | Root: "swift, quick" | TODO(need G5036 study) |
| G5034 | τάχος | táchos | neuter noun | 7–8 | Noun form; always in ἐν τάχει idiom | G5034-tachos.md |
| G5030 | ταχέως | tachéōs | adverb | 10 | Standard adverb; broadest usage range | TODO(need G5030 study) |
| G5035 | ταχύ | tachý | adverb | 12 | Adverb (neuter of adj.); most common form | G5035-tachy.md |
| G5031 | ταχινός | tachinós | adjective | 2 | Adjectival: "swift, impending" | TODO(need G5031 study) |
| G5032 | τάχιον | táchion | adverb | 5 | Comparative: "more quickly, sooner" | TODO(need G5032 study) |
Relationships¶
Shared Root¶
All six words derive from G5036 ταχύς (swift). The inflectional and derivational chain:
- ταχύς (adj.) → τάχος (noun formed from adj. stem)
- ταχύς (adj.) → ταχέως (adverb from adj.)
- ταχύς (adj.) → ταχύ (neuter of adj. used as adverb)
- ταχύς (adj.) → ταχινός (derived adjective)
- ταχέως (adv.) → τάχιον (comparative of adverb)
Co-occurrence (shared distinct verses)¶
Pairwise co-occurrence is 0 for all pairs — the words serve as alternatives within their contexts, not co-occurring synonyms. Each author selects one form for a given expression of urgency.
Distribution by Author / Genre¶
| Word | Primary Context | Notable Books |
|---|---|---|
| τάχος (G5034) | Apocalyptic revelation, angelic narrative | Rev (2–3x), Acts (3x), Rom (1x), Luke (1x) |
| ταχέως (G5030) | Epistolary; moral exhortation | Gal, 1 Tim, 2 Tim, Phil, 2 Thess |
| ταχύ (G5035) | Narrative imperative; Rev commands | Rev (7x), Matt, John |
| ταχινός (G5031) | Epistolary warning | 2 Pet (2x) |
| τάχιον (G5032) | Epistolary plans; comparative urgency | John, 1 Tim, Heb |
Roles in the Concept¶
- Noun (τάχος): Always in the idiom ἐν τάχει — "in swiftness" — functioning adverbially to describe the nearness of prophetic/divine events. Preferred in apocalyptic framing where events are both certain and imminent.
- Simple adverb (ταχύ): Most frequent; used especially in Revelation's direct commands ("I come quickly") and narrative urgency.
- Adverb (ταχέως): Broader NT usage, including moral promptness (laying on of hands "hastily," being "soon shaken"). Paul's letters prefer this form.
- Comparative (τάχιον): "More quickly / sooner" — epistolary contexts where plans or anticipated events are accelerated.
- Adjective (ταχινός): "Swift/impending" — used of swift destruction (2 Pet 2:1) and the nearness of death (2 Pet 1:14). Intensified adjectival form.
Key Passages Using This Word Family¶
- Rev 1:1 (τάχος) — "things which must shortly come to pass" — programmatic statement of the entire Apocalypse
- Rev 22:20 (ταχύ) — "Surely I come quickly (ταχύ). Amen."
- Rev 22:6 (τάχος) — angelic confirmation: "things which must shortly be done"
- Luke 18:8 (τάχος) — "he will avenge them speedily" — divine vindication
- 2 Pet 2:1 (ταχινός) — "bring upon themselves swift destruction"
- Heb 13:23 (τάχιον) — "if he come shortly, I will see you"
Generated from: gather_word_group_data.py, gather_word_data.py Last updated: 2026-04-02