hexapla: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Rare / Obsolete / SpecializedFormal, Academic, Historical, Technical (Biblical Studies/Textual Criticism)
Quick answer
What does “hexapla” mean?
A scholarly edition or critical compilation of a text, especially the Old Testament, presenting six different versions or translations in parallel columns for comparative study.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A scholarly edition or critical compilation of a text, especially the Old Testament, presenting six different versions or translations in parallel columns for comparative study.
In a broader, less common sense, any work arranged in six parallel parts or columns. Used primarily in historical, theological, and philological contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage; the term is equally rare and specialized in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes deep, historical scholarly effort, meticulous textual comparison, and foundational biblical scholarship.
Frequency
Effectively zero in general usage. Found only in specialized academic literature on the Septuagint, Old Testament textual criticism, or patristics.
Grammar
How to Use “hexapla” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun]'s Hexaplathe Hexapla of [Text/Author]a hexapla of [Text Name]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hexapla” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The scholar aimed to hexapla the various Syriac translations, though the task was monumental.
American English
- He proposed to hexapla the early gospel fragments, creating a new comparative tool.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Primary context. Used in historical theology, biblical studies, philology, manuscript studies.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Specific term within textual criticism to describe a six-fold parallel text apparatus.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hexapla”
- Using it as a general synonym for 'collection' or 'anthology'.
- Misspelling as 'hexaple', 'hexaplay', or 'hexapala'.
- Mispronouncing with stress on the second syllable.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Origen's Hexapla, compiled in the 3rd century AD, which presented the Old Testament in six columns: Hebrew, Hebrew in Greek letters, and four Greek translations (Aquila, Symmachus, the Septuagint, and Theodotion).
No, it is an extremely rare and specialized term. You will only encounter it in advanced academic works on early Christian scholarship, the Septuagint, or the history of the Bible.
Theoretically, yes, to describe any work with six parallel versions. However, in practice, it is so strongly associated with Origen's work that any other use would be a deliberate and rare scholarly analogy.
Hexaplas. However, due to its rarity, the plural is seldom used outside of phrases like 'the remains of various hexaplas'.
A scholarly edition or critical compilation of a text, especially the Old Testament, presenting six different versions or translations in parallel columns for comparative study.
Hexapla is usually formal, academic, historical, technical (biblical studies/textual criticism) in register.
Hexapla: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɛksəplə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɛksəplə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A veritable Hexapla of information.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'HEX' (six) and 'PLA' (like 'places' or 'plates') — six places/columns for texts side-by-side.
Conceptual Metaphor
A scholarly map for navigating textual variations.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'hexapla' primarily used?