Anánkē — G318

Definition

feminine noun

constraint (literally or figuratively); by implication, distress

1. necessity, imposed either by the external condition of things, or by the law of duty, regard to one's advantage, custom, argument
2. in a sense rare in the classics , but very common in Hellenistic writings , calamity, distress, straits

Usually translated as

necessity, distress, must needs, necessary, needeth, needful

Origin

from G303 and the base of G43

• aná (G303)
• ankálē (G43)

Occurrences

Anánkē occurs 18 times in the King James.

Distribution of the word across the Bible: Matthew (1), Luke (3), Romans (1), 1 Corinthians (3), 2 Corinthians (3), 1 Thessalonians (1), Philemon (1), Hebrews (4), Jude (1)

• Matthew 18:7 — Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be (ἀνάγκη) that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
• Luke 14:18 — And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs (ἀνάγκην) go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
• Luke 21:23 — But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress (ἀνάγκη) in the land, and wrath upon this people.
• Luke 23:17 — (For of necessity (ἀνάγκην) he must release one unto them at the feast.)
• Romans 13:5 — Wherefore ye must needs (ἀνάγκη) be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
• 1 Corinthians 7:26 — I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress (ἀνάγκην), I say, that it is good for a man so to be.
• 1 Corinthians 7:37 — Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity (ἀνάγκην), but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
• 1 Corinthians 9:16 — For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity (ἀνάγκη) is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
• 2 Corinthians 6:4 — But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities (ἀνάγκαις), in distresses,
• 2 Corinthians 9:7 — Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity (ἀνάγκης): for God loveth a cheerful giver.
• 2 Corinthians 12:10 — Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities (ἀνάγκαις), in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
• 1 Thessalonians 3:7 — Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress (ἀνάγκη) by your faith:
• Philemon 1:14 — But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity (ἀνάγκην), but willingly.
• Hebrews 7:12 — For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity (ἀνάγκης) a change also of the law.
• Hebrews 7:27 — Who needeth (ἀνάγκην) not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
• Hebrews 9:16 — For where a testament is, there must also of necessity (ἀνάγκη) be the death of the testator.
• Hebrews 9:23 — It was therefore necessary (ἀνάγκη) that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
• Jude 1:3 — Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful (ἀνάγκην) for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.