Lexicon
ἱκανός
hikanos
G2425
G:A Greek

sufficient

40
Occurrences
8
Books
Greek
Language

Hikanos describes something ample in quantity or duration, and in some contexts a person or provision adequate for what is required.

The term most often marks an ample quantity, a large group, or an extended period, as in crowds, days, years, and time. It also describes adequacy in relation to a need or task: persons may be unworthy or competent, a punishment may be adequate, and a stated provision may be enough.

Senses in use

  1. Ample number, amount, or duration · dominant

    The forms mark large groups and extended periods: in Acts 12:12 the APB renders a gathering of people as “many,” while Acts 18:18 speaks of Paul remaining “for many days.” In Acts 14:3 the clause concerns remaining for a considerable time, and Acts 20:8 describes many lamps in the upper room.

  2. Adequate or qualified in relation to a task · common

    In 2 Corinthians 2:16 the nominative masculine form occurs in the question, “who is sufficient for these things?” In 2 Timothy 2:2 the plural form describes faithful men who will be able to teach others; 2 Corinthians 3:5 similarly contrasts competence from oneself with competence from God.

  3. Enough to meet a stated need · occasional

    The neuter singular form stands in clauses about a limit or provision: in 2 Corinthians 2:6 the APB renders the punishment as “Sufficient,” and in Luke 22:38 the response to the two swords is “It is enough.” Matthew 28:12 concerns money given to the soldiers, while Acts 17:9 concerns security taken before release.

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB variously uses “many,” “large,” “considerable,” “sufficient,” “competent,” “able,” “worthy,” and “enough” in these verses. These renderings show the clauses’ overall presentation rather than fixed English equivalents.

Passages featuring this word

Across Scripture