ΜΑΚΡΟΤΗΣ (makrotes) — Lexarithmos 739 · Etymology, Meanings

Definition

According to the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon, makrotēs (ἡ) primarily signifies "length, duration." This word, despite its straightforward etymology, acquired rich nuances over centuries, covering a broad spectrum of meanings from physical and temporal length to the moral dimension of patience and endurance. In classical Greek, it predominantly refers to physical size and temporal extent, while in Hellenistic and Christian literature, it is enriched with theological and ethical implications.

Makrotēs can describe the length of an object, a distance, or a journey, as well as the duration of an event, a life, or a period. In rhetoric, it denotes prolixity or extensive analysis. However, its deepest meaning emerges when connected to the human soul and behavior, where "makrotēs" translates to "long-suffering" (μακροθυμία), the capacity to endure difficulties, insults, or trials over a long period with patience and forbearance.

This evolution of meaning from simple "length" to complex "long-suffering" demonstrates the ancient Greek language's ability to convey abstract moral concepts through concrete descriptions. Makrotēs is not merely a quantitative measurement but a qualitative state requiring resilience and perseverance, making it a word of significant philosophical and theological weight.

Etymology

μακρότης ← μακρός (long) + -της (suffix for abstract nouns)

The word makrotēs derives from the adjective makros, meaning "long, great in length or duration," and the suffix -tēs, which is used to form abstract nouns denoting a quality or state (e.g., tachytēs, poiotēs). Its etymology is clear and presents no particular difficulties, directly reflecting the concept of "length" or "duration" from which it originates.

Cognate words include the adjective makros (long), the verb makrynō (to lengthen), the adverb makran (far off), as well as compound words such as makrothymia (makros + thymos = long-suffering, patience), makrobios (makros + bios = long-lived), makroskelēs (makros + skelos = long-legged), and makrologia (makros + logos = prolixity).

Main Meanings

Physical length, size — The primary meaning, referring to the length of an object, a distance, or a dimension (e.g., "makrotēs teichous" - length of a wall).
Temporal duration, length of time — The extent of a period, a season, or a life (e.g., "makrotēs biou" - length of life).
Length of speech or writing, prolixity — The extensive development of a topic in speech or written word, often with the connotation of verbosity or tediousness.
Patience, long-suffering — The ability to endure difficulties, insults, or trials over a long period with forbearance. Particularly prominent in the Septuagint and New Testament.
Delay, procrastination — The prolongation of an event or action, which can lead to a postponement.
Distance — As a measure of length between two points, synonymous with "length" in a geographical or topographical context.

Philosophical Journey

The concept of makrotēs, from its initial physical dimension, evolved to encompass temporal, rhetorical, and ultimately, deeply ethical and theological meanings.

8th-6th C. BCE

Archaic Period

The word makrotēs is primarily used to denote physical length or extent, as in geographical descriptions or references to objects.

5th-4th C. BCE

Classical Period

Beyond physical length, makrotēs gains significance as temporal duration (e.g., in Plato and Aristotle), and as length of speech (prolixity) in rhetoric.

3rd C. BCE - 1st C. CE

Hellenistic Period (Septuagint)

In the Septuagint (LXX) translation of the Old Testament, makrotēs is used to render the Hebrew concept of "long-suffering" (אֹרֶךְ אַפַּיִם), marking a significant theological shift.

1st C. CE

New Testament

Although the word makrotēs itself is not frequent, the concept of makrothymia (long-suffering, as a fruit of the Spirit) is central, influencing the understanding of patience and endurance.

2nd-5th C. CE

Patristic Era

The Church Fathers further develop the theological dimension of long-suffering, connecting it with divine patience and the human virtue of endurance in trials.

In Ancient Texts

Three significant passages illustrating the various facets of makrotēs:

«τὸ γὰρ πρὸς τὸ νῦν μῆκος χρόνου»

For the length of time is in relation to the now.

Aristotle, Physics IV, 13, 222a10

«οὐ γὰρ δὴ μακρότης γε οὐδὲ πλάτος»

For it is certainly not length or breadth.

Plato, Republic VI, 504B

«ἐν μακρότητι ἀνοχῆς πραΰνεται δυνάστης»

Through long-suffering a ruler is appeased.

Old Testament, Proverbs 25:15 (LXX)

Lexarithmic Analysis

The lexarithmos of the word ΜΑΚΡΟΤΗΣ is 739, from the sum of its letter values:

Μ = 40

Mu

Α = 1

Alpha

Κ = 20

Kappa

Ρ = 100

Rho

Ο = 70

Omicron

Τ = 300

Tau

Η = 8

Eta

Σ = 200

Sigma

= 739

Total

40 + 1 + 20 + 100 + 70 + 300 + 8 + 200 = 739

739 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 ΜΑΚΡΟΤΗΣ:

Method	Result	Meaning
Isopsephy	739	Prime number
Decade Numerology	1	7+3+9 = 19 → 1+9 = 10. The decad symbolizes completion, totality, and perfection, reflecting full extent and duration.
Letter Count	8	8 letters. The octad is associated with stability, regeneration, and eternity, concepts that echo duration and endurance.
Cumulative	9/30/700	Units 9 · Tens 30 · Hundreds 700
Odd/Even	Odd	Masculine force
Left/Right Hand	Right	Divine (≥100)
Quotient	—	Comparative method
Notarikon	Μ-Α-Κ-Ρ-Ο-Τ-Η-Σ	Metron Alētheias Kratei Rhoēs Ousias Tēs Hēmeteras Sophias (A measure of truth holds the flow of our essence of wisdom).
Grammatical Groups	3V · 5C · 0D	3 vowels (α, ο, η), 5 consonants (μ, κ, ρ, τ, ς), 0 diphthongs. The vowel-to-consonant ratio suggests a balance in the word's pronunciation.
Palindromes	No
Onomancy	—	Comparative
Sphere of Democritus	—	Divination with lunar day
Zodiacal Isopsephy	Mars ♂ / Scorpio ♏	739 mod 7 = 4 · 739 mod 12 = 7

Isopsephic Words (739)

Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon sharing the same lexarithmos (739), offering interesting connections to the concept of makrotēs:

ἀποίητος

The word "apoietos" means "unmade, uncreated." It connects to makrotēs as eternal duration, the "length" of existence without beginning, implying an unlimited temporal extent.

παθηματικός

The "pathēmatikos" is one prone to suffering or sensitive. The connection to makrotēs lies in the concept of long-suffering, i.e., the patience and endurance of hardships over a long period.

προπατήρ

The "propatēr" is an ancestor, a forefather. It reflects the makrotēs of lineage and tradition, the extension of existence through time across generations.

ἀκριβολογητέον

The phrase "akribologēteon" means "one must speak precisely." It connects to the makrotēs of speech, implying the need for careful and extensive articulation, without necessarily leading to prolixity.

βιβλιογραφία

The "bibliographia" is the systematic listing of books. It connects to the makrotēs of written works and catalogs, the extensive accumulation of knowledge and information over time.

εὐδινός

The "eudinos" means "well-whirling, swift-flowing." While seemingly opposite to static length, it can imply a long, continuous, and uninterrupted flow or movement, a duration in dynamic form.

The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 52 words with lexarithmos 739. 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. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1940.
Plato — Republic. Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press.
Aristotle — Physics. Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press.
Old Testament — Septuagint (LXX). Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2006.
Lampe, G. W. H. — A Patristic Greek Lexicon. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1961.
Chantraine, P. — Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue grecque: histoire des mots. Paris: Klincksieck, 1968-1980.