The word "then" is a common conjunction and adverb in the English language, often used to indicate a sequence of events or a point in time. In the context of the Bible, "then" serves as a critical linguistic tool that helps to narrate events, connect theological concepts, and convey the unfolding of divine plans and human actions. The use of "then" in Scripture often marks transitions in narratives, highlights consequential actions, and underscores the fulfillment of prophetic words.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, "then" frequently appears in historical narratives to denote the progression of events. For example, in the account of creation, Genesis 1:26 states, "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness...'" Here, "then" marks a pivotal moment in the creation narrative, introducing the creation of humanity as the culmination of God's creative work.

In the account of the Exodus, "then" is used to describe the sequence of miraculous events. Exodus 14:21 recounts, "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land." This usage emphasizes the direct intervention of God in delivering the Israelites from Egyptian bondage.

Prophetic Literature

In prophetic literature, "then" often signals the fulfillment of God's promises or judgments. For instance, in Isaiah 35:5-6 , the prophet declares, "Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the mute tongue will shout for joy." These verses use "then" to point to a future time of restoration and healing, highlighting the hope and redemption that God promises to His people.

Wisdom Literature

In the wisdom literature, "then" is used to draw conclusions or to present the results of wise or foolish actions. Proverbs 2:9-10 states, "Then you will discern righteousness and justice and equity—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will delight your soul." Here, "then" connects the pursuit of wisdom with the resulting moral and spiritual insight.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, "then" continues to play a significant role in the narrative and theological development. In the Gospels, it often marks key moments in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. For example, in Matthew 3:16 , "As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him." The use of "then" in the parallel accounts underscores the divine affirmation of Jesus' identity and mission.

In the epistles, "then" is used to articulate theological arguments and ethical exhortations. Romans 6:4 states, "We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life." The "then" here implies a logical and spiritual consequence of being united with Christ in His death and resurrection.

Eschatological Context

In eschatological passages, "then" often introduces events related to the end times and the return of Christ. In Matthew 24:30 , Jesus prophesies, "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory." The use of "then" in this context highlights the certainty and sequence of eschatological events, affirming the hope of Christ's return and the establishment of His kingdom.

Overall, the word "then" serves as a vital connector in the biblical narrative, linking events, actions, and theological truths across both Testaments. Its usage underscores the unfolding of God's redemptive plan and the continuity of His purposes throughout history.1. (adv.) At that time (referring to a time specified, either past or future).

2. (adv.) Soon afterward, or immediately; next; afterward.

3. (adv.) At another time; later; again.

4. (conj.) Than.

5. (conj.) In that case; in consequence; as a consequence; therefore; for this reason.

3767. oun -- therefore, then, (and) so
... therefore, then, (and) so. Part of Speech: Conjunction Transliteration: oun Phonetic
Spelling: (oon) Short Definition: therefore, then Definition: therefore ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3767.htm - 6k

1534. eita -- then, next, therefore (an adv. denoting sequence)
... 1533, 1534. eita. 1535 . then, next, therefore (an adv. denoting sequence).
Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: eita Phonetic ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1534.htm - 6k

5119. tote -- then, at that time
... then, at that time. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: tote Phonetic Spelling:
(tot'-eh) Short Definition: then Definition: then, at that time. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5119.htm - 6k

5620. hoste -- so as to, so then, therefore
... so as to, so then, therefore. Part of Speech: Conjunction Transliteration: hoste
Phonetic Spelling: (hoce'-teh) Short Definition: so that, therefore Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5620.htm - 7k

3766. oukoun -- therefore, so then
... therefore, so then. Part of Speech: Adverb, Negative Transliteration: oukoun Phonetic
Spelling: (ook-oon') Short Definition: not therefore Definition: therefore ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3766.htm - 6k

5105. toigaroun -- wherefore then, so therefore
... wherefore then, so therefore. Part of Speech: Particle, Disjunctive Particle
Transliteration: toigaroun Phonetic Spelling: (toy-gar-oon') Short Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5105.htm - 7k

1535b. eiten -- then
... eiten. 1536 . then. Transliteration: eiten Short Definition: then. Word Origin
Ionic and Hellenistic for eita Definition then NASB Word Usage then (2). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1535b.htm - 5k

5025. tautais and tautas -- hence, that, then, these, those.
tautais and tautas. 5024, 5025. tautais and tautas. 5026 . hence, that, then,
these, those. ... pl. respectively of houtos,, qv. hence, that, then, these, those ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5025.htm - 6k

686. ara -- therefore (an illative particle)
... an illative particle). Part of Speech: Particle, Disjunctive Particle Transliteration:
ara Phonetic Spelling: (ar'-ah) Short Definition: then, therefore, since ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/686.htm - 7k

1899. epeita -- thereafter
... thereafter. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: epeita Phonetic Spelling:
(ep'-i-tah) Short Definition: then, thereafter, afterwards Definition: then ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1899.htm - 7k

116. edayin -- then, thereupon
... 115, 116. edayin. 117 . then, thereupon. Transliteration: edayin Phonetic
Spelling: (ed-ah'-yin) Short Definition: then. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/116.htm - 5k

233. azay -- then, in that case
... 232, 233. azay. 234 . then, in that case. Transliteration: azay Phonetic
Spelling: (az-ah'ee) Short Definition: then. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/233.htm - 6k

645. epho -- then
... 644, 645. epho. 646 . then. Transliteration: epho Phonetic Spelling:
(ay-fo') Short Definition: then. Word Origin a prim. particle ...
/hebrew/645.htm - 6k

7157. Qiryath Yearim -- "city of forests," a city given to Judah ...
Qiryath Yearim or Qiryath Arim. 7156, 7157. Qiryath Yearim or Qiryath Arim. 7158 .
"city of forests," a city given to Judah, then to Benjamin. Transliteration ...
/hebrew/7157.htm - 6k

227. az -- at that time
... 226, 227. az. 228 . at that time. Transliteration: az Phonetic Spelling:
(awz) Short Definition: then. Word Origin of uncertain ...
/hebrew/227.htm - 6k

3588. ki -- that, for, when
... i indeed (1), rather* (12), seeing (1), since (38), since* (1), so (2), soon (1),
still* (1), surely (63), surely* (8), than (1), than* (2), then (2), then* (1 ...
/hebrew/3588.htm - 7k

1571. gam -- also, moreover, yea
... 4), nor yet (1), nor* (4), now (3), now* (2), only (1), or (4), part also (1),
previously* (1), so (1), spite* (1), still (1), still* (1), then (1), therefore ...
/hebrew/1571.htm - 6k

3282. yaan -- on account of, because
... because that, forasmuch as, seeing then, that, whereas, why. From an unused
root meaning to pay attention; properly, heed; by implication ...
/hebrew/3282.htm - 6k

637. aph -- also, yea
... less (2), more (1), more* (1), much more* (8), much* (10), no (1), really (1), scarcely*
(3), so (2), spite* (1), surely (9), surely* (1), then* (1), though (1 ...
/hebrew/637.htm - 6k

5973. im -- with
... preposition, with (ie In conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically,
equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then usually unrepresented ...
/hebrew/5973.htm - 6k

Now, and Then
... Now, and Then. A Sermon ... At the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. "For now we see
through a glass, darkly; but then face to face.""1 Corinthians 13:12. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/now and then.htm

Then
... Book VIII. Section 3. Then. Section ... division. Of things, then, which are the result
of something, we understand the varieties to be as follows. ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 3 then.htm

Then
... Book VIII. Section 5. Then. Section 5. Then, after showing that the Person
of the Only-begotten and Maker of things has no beginning ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 5 then.htm

Of the Signs, Then, by which Men Communicate their Thoughts to one ...
... Book 2 Chapter 4. Of the signs, then, by which men communicate their
thoughts to one another? 4. Of the signs, then, by which ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 4 of the signs.htm

It is the Duty, Then, of the Interpreter and Teacher of Holy ...
... Book 4 Chapter 6. It is the duty, then, of the interpreter and teacher of
Holy Scripture? 6. It is the duty, then, of the interpreter ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 6 it is the.htm

What is Then, or in what Lies the Great Struggle for Eternal Life? ...
... Address 113: What is then, or in what lies the great struggle for eternal life?
It all? What is then, or in what lies the great struggle for eternal life? ...
/.../address 113 0 0 what is then.htm

Then He Summoned Nicodemus and the Twelve God-Fearing Jews...
... Chapter 9. Then he summoned Nicodemus and the twelve God-fearing Jews? ... I have,
then, one malefactor in the prison, a robber named Barabbas. ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 9 then he summoned.htm

What, Then, was it Likely that the Master of the Slave Would ...
... IV."Apologetic Works. Chapter XXIII. What, then, was it likely that the
master of the slave would choose to receive? What, then ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter xxiii what then was.htm

This, Then, this Matter of Forms and Sexes, is the First Affront ...
... Book III. 20 This, then, this matter of forms and sexes, is the first
affront which you? This, then, this matter of forms and ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/20 this then this matter.htm

While, Then, this is the Case, and it Cannot but be that Only one ...
... Book II. 57 While, then, this is the case, and it cannot but be that only
one of? While, then, this is the case, and it cannot ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/57 while then this is.htm

Then (24451 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Then (24451 Occurrences). Then occurs 24451 times in 12
translations. You can narrow your search using the Advanced Bible Search. ...
/t/then.htm - 7k

Valuation (22 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 5:15 If any one commit a trespass, and sin unwittingly, in the holy things
of Jehovah; then he shall bring his trespass-offering unto Jehovah, a ram ...
/v/valuation.htm - 14k

Kareah (14 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 40:8 then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, to wit, Ishmael the son of
Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of ...
/k/kareah.htm - 12k

Satraps (12 Occurrences)
... Esther 3:12 Then the king's scribes were called in on the first month, on the
thirteenth day of the month; and all that Haman commanded was written to the ...
/s/satraps.htm - 11k

Valued (27 Occurrences)
... Matthew 27:9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,
And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued ...
/v/valued.htm - 15k

Shaved (23 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY DBY WBS NAS NIV). Genesis 41:14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph,
and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon. He ...
/s/shaved.htm - 13k

Shutting (43 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Judges 3:23 Then Ehud went out into the covered way, shutting the
doors of the summer-house on him and locking them. (BBE). ...
/s/shutting.htm - 19k

Zalmunna (9 Occurrences)
... a part of 7:22b, describing the direction of the flight, while Nowack (Hand-Komm.)
regards the battle of 8:11 as the same as that of 7:11 if; he then takes the ...
/z/zalmunna.htm - 13k

Vows (38 Occurrences)
... Numbers 30:4 and her father hears her vow, and her bond with which she has bound
her soul, and her father holds his peace at her; then all her vows shall stand ...
/v/vows.htm - 19k

Quit (12 Occurrences)
... Genesis 24:8 And if the woman be not willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be
quit of this my oath: only, bring not my son thither again. (DBY YLT). ...
/q/quit.htm - 13k

What is theodicy? | GotQuestions.org

Will Christians see the Antichrist, or will the rapture occur before then? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Paul say the gospel brings salvation to the Jew first and then the Gentile? | GotQuestions.org

Then: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus