Original Word: ἐνενήκοντα ἐννέα
Part of Speech: Indeclinable Numeral (Adjective)
Transliteration: ennenékontaennea
Pronunciation: en-ne-NAY-kon-ta en-NEH-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (en-nen-ay-kon-tah-en-neh'-ah)
KJV: ninety and nine
Word Origin: [from a (tenth) multiple of G1767 (ἐννέα - nine) and G1767 (ἐννέα - nine) itself]

1. ninety-nine

ninety-nine.

From a (tenth) multiple of ennea and ennea itself; ninety-nine -- ninety and nine.

see GREEK ennea

see GREEK ennea

Word Origin
variant reading for enenékonta, q.v.

STRONGS NT 1768: ἐνενήκοντα

ἐνενήκοντα, see ἐννενηκοντα.

STRONGS NT 1768: ἐννενηκονταεννέαἐννενηκονταεννέα, more correctly ἐνενήκοντα ἐννέα (i. e. written separately, and the first word with a single nu ν, as by L T Tr WH; cf. (under Nu; Tdf. Proleg., p. 80; WHs Appendix, p. 148); Winers Grammar, 43f; Bornemann, Scholia ad Luc., p. 95), ninety-nine: Matthew 18:12; Luke 15:4, 7.

Overview

Strong’s Greek 1768 designates the number “ninety.” In the New Testament it appears only in the compound phrase “ninety-nine,” always within the parable of the lost sheep. Though numerically plain, the word’s placement in that single parable makes it a window into Christ’s teaching on redemption, pastoral care, and heavenly joy.

Occurrences in the New Testament

Matthew 18:12; Matthew 18:13; Luke 15:4; Luke 15:7.

Setting in the Parable

In both Matthew and Luke the Lord pictures a shepherd with one hundred sheep. When one strays, he “leave[s] the ninety-nine” (Matthew 18:12) to search for the lost. The ninety-nine therefore represent the secure majority, contrasted with the imperiled minority of one. Their mention sharpens the shepherd’s resolve and magnifies his love: even a seemingly negligible percentage matters to him.

Theological Themes

1. Divine Initiative. The shepherd does not wait for the lost sheep to return; he actively seeks. The ninety-nine underscore the cost of that pursuit, as the shepherd willingly risks what appears safe to rescue what is lost (Luke 15:4).
2. Heavenly Joy. “There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent” (Luke 15:7). The numeral anchors the math of grace: God’s rejoicing is not proportional to group size but to transformative repentance.
3. Assurance and Security. The ninety-nine remain safe, showing that the Shepherd’s care for the flock is not compromised by His search for the lost. Both rescued and secure sheep rest under the same shepherdly authority.

Old Testament Resonances

While “ninety” rarely surfaces in Old Testament narrative, shepherd imagery abounds (Psalm 23; Ezekiel 34). The parable builds upon these earlier texts, presenting Christ as the faithful Shepherd promised in prophecy. The stable ninety-nine echo the “flock of His pasture” that is preserved while He gathers those scattered (Ezekiel 34:12).

Historical and Patristic Reflection

Early Christian writers such as Chrysostom noted that the ninety-nine symbolize angelic hosts, while the one sheep depicts fallen mankind. Others viewed the number as the covenant people of Israel contrasted with Gentile outsiders. Across interpretations the constant remains: the Good Shepherd values every individual soul.

Pastoral and Missional Implications

1. Evangelistic Priority. Churches are called to imitate the Shepherd, refusing complacency with an intact majority while even one soul remains unreconciled.
2. Discipleship Balance. Care for the flock continues alongside outreach; the security of the ninety-nine does not excuse neglect but demonstrates mature stability that frees resources for mission.
3. Celebration of Repentance. Congregations emulate heaven’s priorities when they rejoice more over one repentant sinner than over routine internal successes.

Homiletic Use

Preachers often employ the contrast of ninety-nine and one to challenge self-satisfaction and to inspire sacrificial pursuit of the lost. The passage also comforts believers, reminding them that their security rests in a Shepherd who neither abandons the majority nor overlooks the individual.

Conclusion

Though Strong’s 1768 appears only four times, its role in the parable of the lost sheep gives it enduring spiritual weight. By marking the ninety-nine, the term highlights the Shepherd’s heart, the value of every person, and the jubilation of heaven when redemption is realized.

ενενηκοντα ἐνενήκοντα ενενηκονταεννέα ενενηκονταπέντε εννενήκονταεννέα εννενηκονταέξ εννενηκονταοκτώ εννενηκονταπέντε enenekonta enenēkonta enenḗkontaInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts