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1 Peter 3

1 Peter 3:20 KJV (With Strong’s)

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20
Which sometime
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
pote (Greek #4218)
indefinite adverb, at some time, ever
KJV usage: afore-(any, some-)time(-s), at length (the last), (+ n- )ever, in the old time, in time past, once, when.
Pronounce: pot-eh'
Origin: from the base of 4225 and 5037
were disobedient
apeitheo (Greek #544)
to disbelieve (wilfully and perversely)
KJV usage: not believe, disobedient, obey not, unbelieving.
Pronounce: ap-i-theh'-o
Origin: from 545
, when
hote (Greek #3753)
at which (thing) too, i.e. when
KJV usage: after (that), as soon as, that, when, while.
Pronounce: hot'-eh
Origin: from 3739 and 5037
once
hapax (Greek #530)
one (or a single) time (numerically or conclusively)
KJV usage: once.
Pronounce: hap'-ax
Origin: probably from 537
f the longsuffering
makrothumia (Greek #3115)
longanimity, i.e. (objectively) forbearance or (subjectively) fortitude
KJV usage: longsuffering, patience.
Pronounce: mak-roth-oo-mee'-ah
Origin: from the same as 3116
of God
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
theos (Greek #2316)
a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
KJV usage: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
Pronounce: theh'-os
Origin: of uncertain affinity
waited
ekdechomai (Greek #1551)
to accept from some source, i.e. (by implication) to await
KJV usage: expect, look (tarry) for, wait (for).
Pronounce: ek-dekh'-om-ahee
Origin: from 1537 and 1209
in
en (Greek #1722)
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV usage: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Pronounce: en
Origin: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537)
the days
hemera (Greek #2250)
day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the Jews as inclusive of the parts of both extremes); figuratively, a period (always defined more or less clearly by the context)
KJV usage: age, + alway, (mid-)day (by day, (-ly)), + for ever, judgment, (day) time, while, years.
Pronounce: hay-mer'-ah
Origin: feminine (with 5610 implied) of a derivative of ἧμαι (to sit; akin to the base of 1476) meaning tame, i.e. gentle
of Noah
Noe (Greek #3575)
Noe, (i.e. Noach), a patriarch
KJV usage: Noe.
Pronounce: no'-eh
Origin: of Hebrew origin (05146)
, while the ark
kibotos (Greek #2787)
a box, i.e. the sacred ark and that of Noah
KJV usage: ark.
Pronounce: kib-o-tos'
Origin: of uncertain derivation
was a preparing
kataskeuazo (Greek #2680)
to prepare thoroughly (properly, by external equipment; whereas 2090 refers rather to internal fitness); by implication, to construct, create
KJV usage: build, make, ordain, prepare.
Pronounce: kat-ask-yoo-ad'-zo
Origin: from 2596 and a derivative of 4632
, wherein
eis (Greek #1519)
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
KJV usage: (abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
Pronounce: ice
Origin: a primary preposition
few
hos (Greek #3739)
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
KJV usage: one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also 3757.
Pronounce: hos
Origin: ἥ (hay), and neuter ὅ (ho) probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588)
oligos (Greek #3641)
puny (in extent, degree, number, duration or value); especially neuter (adverbially) somewhat
KJV usage: + almost, brief(-ly), few, (a) little, + long, a season, short, small, a while.
Pronounce: ol-ee'-gos
Origin: of uncertain affinity
, that
touto (Greek #5124)
that thing
KJV usage: here (-unto), it, partly, self(-same), so, that (intent), the same, there(-fore, -unto), this, thus, where(-fore).
Pronounce: too'-to
Origin: neuter singular nominative or accusative case of 3778
is
esti (Greek #2076)
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
KJV usage: are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
Pronounce: es-tee'
Origin: third person singular present indicative of 1510
, eight
oktos (Greek #3638)
"eight"
KJV usage: eight.
Pronounce: ok-to'
Origin: a primary numeral
souls
psuche (Greek #5590)
breath, i.e. (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from 4151, which is the rational and immortal soul; and on the other from 2222, which is mere vitality, even of plants: these terms thus exactly correspond respectively to the Hebrew 05315, 07307 and 02416)
KJV usage: heart (+ -ily), life, mind, soul, + us, + you.
Pronounce: psoo-khay'
Origin: from 5594
were saved
diasozo (Greek #1295)
to save thoroughly, i.e. (by implication or analogy) to cure, preserve, rescue, etc.
KJV usage: bring safe, escape (safe), heal, make perfectly whole, save.
Pronounce: dee-as-odze'-o
Origin: from 1223 and 4982
by
dia (Greek #1223)
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
KJV usage: after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) ... fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.
Pronounce: dee-ah'
Origin: a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act
water
hudor (Greek #5204)
water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively
KJV usage: water.
Pronounce: hoo'-dore
Origin: ὕδατος (hoo'-dat-os), etc. from the base of 5205
.
f
Gen. 6•  (Gen. 6)

More on:

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God,
Noah,
Sometime; Sometimes,
Soul; Spirit

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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sometime.
Gen. 6:3,5,13• 3And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
 5And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
 13And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. (Gen. 6:3,5,13)
the longsuffering.
Isa. 30:18• 18And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him. (Isa. 30:18)
;
Rom. 2:4‑5• 4Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
 5But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; (Rom. 2:4‑5)
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Rom. 9:22• 22What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: (Rom. 9:22)
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2 Peter 3:15• 15And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; (2 Peter 3:15)
the days.
Matt. 24:37‑39• 37But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
 38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
 39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (Matt. 24:37‑39)
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Luke 17:26‑30• 26And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
 27They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
 28Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
 29But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
 30Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. (Luke 17:26‑30)
while.
Gen. 6:14‑22• 14Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
 15And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
 16A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.
 17And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.
 18But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.
 19And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.
 20Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.
 21And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.
 22Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he. (Gen. 6:14‑22)
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Heb. 11:7• 7By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (Heb. 11:7)
wherein.
Gen. 7:1‑7,13,23• 1And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
 2Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.
 3Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth.
 4For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth.
 5And Noah did according unto all that the Lord commanded him.
 6And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth.
 7And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood.
 13In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark;
 23And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark. (Gen. 7:1‑7,13,23)
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Gen. 8:1,18• 1And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged;
 18And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him: (Gen. 8:1,18)
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Matt. 7:14• 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matt. 7:14)
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Luke 12:32• 32Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)
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Luke 13:24‑25• 24Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
 25When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: (Luke 13:24‑25)
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2 Peter 2:5• 5And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; (2 Peter 2:5)
by.
Gen. 7:17‑23• 17And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth.
 18And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters.
 19And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.
 20Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered.
 21And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man:
 22All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died.
 23And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark. (Gen. 7:17‑23)
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2 Cor. 2:15‑16• 15For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
 16To the one we are the savor of death unto death; and to the other the savor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? (2 Cor. 2:15‑16)
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Eph. 5:26• 26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (Eph. 5:26)
• the only ones said to be the objects of His preaching were that generation of mankind which had been favored with the pleading of His Spirit in Noah. Such a favor when they were alive would much more naturally have weighed against the alleged visitation after death, even if other scriptures did not prove its needlessness for saints and its unavailingness for sinners. (“1 Peter 3:19-20” by W. Kelly)
• The clear bearing of the teaching is to contrast the disobedient mass of spirits (in the prison of the separate state for such) with the few who in the ark were brought safe through water. The unbelieving Jews who objected to the fewness of the Christians were thus powerfully met, as well as their contempt for preaching as having no serious effect, whether believed or rejected. (“1 Peter 3:19-20” by W. Kelly)
• These spirits then are in prison, because they did not hearken to the Spirit of Christ in Noah (compare 2 Peter 2:5-9). (“1 Peter 3” by J.N. Darby)

J. N. Darby Translation

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20
heretofore disobedienti, when the longsufferingk of God waited in the days of Noah while the ark was preparing, into which few, that is, eight souls, were savedl through waterm:

JND Translation Notes

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i
Or "disbelieving." see John 3.36 and ch. 2.7,8.
k
Makrothumia. see Note.f, Jas. 5.7.
l
The Greek means "arrive safe into a place of security through difficulty or danger," as Acts 27.44.
m
This does not mean, I think, that they went through the water to get in, i.e. through the course of the flood. The apostle's mind does not turn to the flood, but to the water as an instrument. Water was ruin and death, and they were saved through it.

W. Kelly Translation

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20
disobedienta aforetimeb when the long-suffering of God was waitingc in Noah’s days, while an ark was being prepared, in which few, that is eight souls, were brought safe through waterd;

WK Translation Notes

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a
The absence of the article before "disobedient" proves the participle to be part of the predicate and assigns the reason for their present imprisonment, "disobedient as heretofore they were when" etc.
b
It is not accurate to render apeithēsasin pote "which aforetime were disobedient" as this would require the article tois. Is not the force rather "disobedient as they once proved when," etc. Their being in prison was in consequence of their previous disobedience to God’s patient warning.
c
The word apexedecheto, "was waiting," is unquestionably correct, only one ancient MSS. being adverse.
d
"Through water" is right, not "by" it. Water was the destructive element, through which grace saved Noah and those with him in the ark.