Lexical Summary
brachus: Short, little, brief
Original Word: βραχύς
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: brachus
Pronunciation: bra-khoos'
Phonetic Spelling: (brakh-ooce')
KJV: few words, little (space, while)
NASB: little, little while, short time
Word Origin: [of uncertain affinity]
1. short
{of time, place, quantity, or number}
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
few words, little space.
Of uncertain affinity; short (of time, place, quantity, or number) -- few words, little (space, while).
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. word
Definitionshort, little
NASB Translationbriefly* (1), little (3), little while (2), short time (1).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 1024: βραχύςβραχύς,
βραχεια,
βραχύ,
short, small, little (from
Pindar,
Herodotus,
Thucydides down);
a. of place; neuter βραχύ adverbially, a short distance, a little: Acts 27:28 (2 Samuel 16:1; Thucydides 1, 63).
b. of time; βραχύ τί a short time, for a little while: Hebrews 2:7, 9, (where the writer transfers to time what the Sept. in Psalm 8:6 says of rank); Acts 5:34 (here L T Tr WH omit τί); μετά βραχύ shortly after, Luke 22:58.
c. of quantity and measure; βραχύ τί (Tr text WH omits; L Tr marginal reading brackets τί) some little part, a little: John 6:7 (βραχύ τί τοῦ μέλιτος, 1 Samuel 14:29; ἔλαιον βραχύ, Josephus, Antiquities 9, 4, 2; βραχυτατος λιβανωτός, Philo de vict. off. § 4); διά βραχέων in few namely, words, briefly, Hebrews 13:22 (so (Plato, Demosthenes, others (cf. Bleek on Hebrews, the passage cited)) Josephus, b. j. 4, 5, 4; ἐν βραχυτάτω δηλουν to show very briefly, Xenophon, Cyril 1, 2, 15).
Topical Lexicon
Definition and Scope The term rendered “short,” “little,” or “brief” points to limitation—of time, space, quantity, or rank. Whether describing a momentary delay, a small allowance, or the temporary humiliation of the Son of God, its recurring note is transience in contrast with God’s larger purposes.
Occurrences in the New Testament
• Luke 22:58 – Peter’s second denial occurs “a short time later,” underscoring how swiftly fear can overtake a disciple.
• John 6:7 – Philip estimates that even two hundred denarii would provide only “a little” food, highlighting the insufficiency of human resources before Christ multiplies them.
• Acts 5:34 – Gamaliel asks that the apostles be removed “for a short time,” creating space for sober counsel that protects the church from rash persecution.
• Acts 27:28 – Sailors measure again “a short distance on,” dramatizing the perilous nearness of the reef and God’s providential care.
• Hebrews 2:7, 9 – The Son is made “a little lower than the angels,” a brief abasement that secures eternal exaltation.
• Hebrews 13:22 – The entire epistle is called “brief,” yet its few words furnish a rich store of doctrine and exhortation.
Semantic Nuance
1. Temporal brevity – “a short time later” (Luke 22:58); “for a short time” (Acts 5:34).
2. Quantitative smallness – “each of them to have a little” (John 6:7).
3. Spatial nearness – “a short distance on” (Acts 27:28).
4. Degree or rank – “a little lower than the angels” (Hebrews 2:7, 9).
5. Literary conciseness – “I have only written to you briefly” (Hebrews 13:22).
Christological Significance (Hebrews 2:7, 9)
The citation of Psalm 8 announces that the incarnate Son descended only “a little” beneath angelic glory. The limitation was:
• Temporal – confined to His earthly ministry (“for a short time”).
• Positional – a step down from heavenly majesty.
• Purposeful – “so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone” (Hebrews 2:9).
His brief humiliation secures everlasting dominion, proving that what is temporary in God’s plan often achieves what is eternal.
Pastoral and Narrative Function
In Luke, Acts, and John the word sets pacing. Moments that appear insignificant—minutes by a fire, brief deliberation in a council, incremental soundings of a ship—turn pivotal. God works through these “short” intervals to expose denial, preserve His messengers, and deliver Paul from shipwreck.
Ministry Application
• Valuing the Moment – Small windows of obedience or counsel may alter destinies.
• Trusting Sufficiency – What seems “a little” in human provision can become abundance in Christ’s hands.
• Embracing Humility – Christ’s momentary lowering models servant-hearted ministry; leaders may step down briefly that others be lifted eternally.
• Communicating Concisely – Hebrews shows that a “brief” exhortation can carry deep doctrinal weight; clear, succinct teaching remains powerful.
Historical and Rabbinic Context
Jewish teaching often contrasted “this short age” with “the age to come.” Gamaliel’s measured pause (Acts 5:34) reflects a rabbinic instinct to deliberate before judgment. The Epistle to the Hebrews draws from that same tradition, yet centers all anticipation on the Messiah whose fleeting suffering ushers in everlasting glory.
Theological Emphasis
Scripture’s consistent treatment of the word confirms divine sovereignty over both the minute and the monumental. What is “short” to humankind is appointed by the eternal God, and in His redemptive economy even the briefest episode serves the unfolding plan that culminates in the exaltation of Jesus Christ.
Forms and Transliterations
βραχέα βραχεί βραχείς βραχεων βραχέων βραχυ βραχύ βραχὺ bracheon bracheōn brachéon brachéōn brachu brachy brachý brachỳ
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