ΑΠΟΚΡΙΣΙΣ
Apokrisis (ἀπόκρισις), a pivotal word in ancient Greek dialogue and philosophical thought, is not merely an answer but a judgment, a decision, a distinction. Stemming from the root of krino (κρίνω, to separate, judge, decide), apokrisis signifies the act of 'responding,' i.e., delivering a judgment or reply to a question. Its lexarithmos (691) suggests the completeness and perfection of judgment, as the sum of its digits (6+9+1=16 → 1+6=7) alludes to the number of wisdom and fulfillment.
REPORT ERRORDefinition
According to the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon, ἀπόκρισις (ἀπόκρισις, ἡ) initially means 'separation, division,' but it quickly evolved to denote 'answer' or 'decision.' The word is a compound, derived from the prefix 'apo-' (indicating removal, return, or reaction) and the root of the verb 'krino' (κρίνω, meaning to separate, distinguish, judge, decide).
In classical Greek philosophy, particularly in Platonic dialogue, ἀπόκρισις acquires central significance as the answer given to an erotesis (ἐρώτησις, question). It is not a mere response but a judgment resulting from a process of distinction and evaluation. It represents the conclusion of a logical process, the articulation of a position or a decision.
The meaning extends to other domains, such as the legal, where it can signify a judicial decision, or the rhetorical, where it refers to the reply to an accusation or an argument. Thus, ἀπόκρισις is the act of separating, evaluating, and expressing a judgment or an answer, which results in a clear position or solution.
Etymology
The family of κρίνω is particularly productive in the Greek language, generating words related to distinction, judgment, decision, and response. ἀπόκρισις is a characteristic example of how the addition of prefixes alters and specializes the meaning of the basic root, emphasizing the act of responding or the final judgment after a process of separation.
Main Meanings
- Separation, Division — The original, literal meaning of the word, referring to a physical or conceptual distinction. (Plato, «Republic»)
- Answer, Reply — The most common meaning, especially in a dialogical context, as the response to a question or challenge. (Plato, «Sophist»)
- Decision, Judgment — The act of deciding or the outcome of a judgment, often in a legal or ethical context. (Aristotle, «Rhetoric»)
- Distinction, Discernment — The ability or act of discerning between different things, ideas, or situations. (Hippocrates, medical diagnosis)
- Solution, Resolution — The resolution of a problem or the conclusion of a discussion or dispute.
- Apologetic Reply — In rhetoric, the response to an accusation or argument, for the purpose of defense.
Word Family
krin- (root of the verb krino)
The Ancient Greek root krin- is fundamental to the concept of distinction, selection, and judgment. From this root derive words that describe both the physical act of separation and the intellectual process of evaluation and decision. The prefix apo- in apokrisis adds the idea of responding or the final judgment that arises from a previous state or question, highlighting the active and reactive nature of the word. Each member of this family explores a different facet of the central meaning of 'krino.'
Philosophical Journey
The trajectory of ἀπόκρισις reflects the evolution of Greek thought, from simple distinction to the complexity of dialogue and judgment.
In Ancient Texts
The significance of ἀπόκρισις is highlighted through characteristic passages from ancient literature:
Lexarithmic Analysis
The lexarithmos of the word ΑΠΟΚΡΙΣΙΣ is 691, from the sum of its letter values:
691 is a prime number — indivisible, a quality the Pythagoreans considered the mark of pure essence.
The 18 Methods
Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΑΠΟΚΡΙΣΙΣ:
| Method | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Isopsephy | 691 | Prime number |
| Decade Numerology | 7 | 6+9+1=16 → 1+6=7 — The number 7, a symbol of completeness, perfection, wisdom, and spiritual fulfillment. Apokrisis as a complete judgment. |
| Letter Count | 9 | 9 letters — The number 9, a symbol of completion, wisdom, and spiritual achievement. Apokrisis as a final judgment. |
| Cumulative | 1/90/600 | Units 1 · Tens 90 · Hundreds 600 |
| Odd/Even | Odd | Masculine force |
| Left/Right Hand | Right | Divine (≥100) |
| Quotient | — | Comparative method |
| Notarikon | A-P-O-K-R-I-S-I-S | Aletheia Panton Hodos Kriseos Rhetorikes Ikanotes Sophias Hieras Skepseos (An interpretive approach connecting apokrisis with truth, judgment, rhetoric, and sacred thought). |
| Grammatical Groups | 4V · 0H · 5C | 4 vowels (A, O, I, I) and 5 consonants (P, K, R, S, S). The vowel-to-consonant ratio suggests a balance between the flow of speech and the structure of thought. |
| Palindromes | No | |
| Onomancy | — | Comparative |
| Sphere of Democritus | — | Divination with lunar day |
| Zodiacal Isopsephy | Jupiter ♃ / Scorpio ♏ | 691 mod 7 = 5 · 691 mod 12 = 7 |
Isopsephic Words (691)
Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon with the same lexarithmos (691) but different roots, offering a glimpse into the numerical harmony of the Greek language:
The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 86 words with lexarithmos 691. For the full catalog and AI semantic filtering, see the interactive tool.
Sources & Bibliography
- Liddell, H. G., Scott, R., Jones, H. S. — A Greek-English Lexicon, 9th ed., with revisions (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1940).
- Plato — Sophist, Republic.
- Aristotle — Topics, Rhetoric.
- Thucydides — Histories.
- New Testament — Gospel of Matthew, Romans.
- Smyth, H. W. — Greek Grammar (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1956).