UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: few, limited number of

Semantic entry: 59.4

Semantic domains: Quantity

Subdomains: Many, Few [Countables]

Definition: a relatively small number of objects or events, probably implying less than expected

Notes: In a number of languages the equivalent of a small or limited number of objects is expressed by a negative attribution to an expression of large quantity, so that ‘few’ becomes ‘not many.’ For another interpretation of διὰ βραχέων in RV HEB 13:22 · LV HEB 13:22 · Read together HEB 13:22, see 67.106: βραχύς / 67.106: διά / 67.106: διά / 67.106: ἐν / 67.106: μικρός / 67.106: ὀλίγος / 67.106: πρός.

Sense 2: little, small amount of

Semantic entry: 59.14

Semantic domains: Quantity

Subdomains: Much, Little [Masses, Collectives, Extensions]

Definition: a relatively small quantity or extent, probably implying less than expected

Notes: For βραχύ τι in RV HEB 2:7 · LV HEB 2:7 · Read together HEB 2:7, see 78.43: βραχύς.

Sense 3: somewhat, about

Semantic entry: 78.43

Semantic domains: Degree

Subdomains: About, Approximately, Almost, Hardly [Approximate Degree]

Definition: a degree of indefinite approximation

Notes: In RV HEB 2:7 · LV HEB 2:7 · Read together HEB 2:7 (a quotation from Psalm 8.6: σκεῦος) the expression βραχύ τι as a lexical unit refers to rank. However, RV HEB 2:8 · LV HEB 2:8 · Read together HEB 2:8 suggests that the writer of Hebrews probably interpreted βραχύ as meaning a small quantity (see 59.14: βραχύς) and as referring to time in the sense of ‘a little (while).’ For this interpretation of τι, see 92.12: τὶς.

Collocations: βραχύ τι

Sense 4: a little while, for a little while, a short time, brief, briefly

Semantic entry: 67.106

Semantic domains: Time

Subdomains: Duration of Time without Reference to Points or Units of Time: Time, Spend Time, Always, Eternal, Old, Immediately, Young

Definition: pertaining to a relatively brief extent of time{N:001}

Notes: In RV HEB 13:22 · LV HEB 13:22 · Read together HEB 13:22 the phrase διὰ βραχέων may refer to the act of sending the communication or the amount of time required to receive the communication, that is to say, to read the communication or to hear it read. For another interpretation of διὰ βραχέων in RV HEB 13:22 · LV HEB 13:22 · Read together HEB 13:22, see 59.4: βραχύς.

Collocations: διὰ βραχέων