◄ 2258. én ►
Lexicon
én: was, were

Original Word: ἦν
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: én
Pronunciation: ān
Phonetic Spelling: (ane)
Definition: was, were
Meaning: agree, be, have charge of, hold, use

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
agree, be, have charge of, hold, use.

Imperfect of eimi; I (thou, etc.) Was (wast or were) -- + agree, be, X have (+ charge of), hold, use, was(-t), were.

see GREEK eimi

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
imperf. of eimi, q.v.

Topical Lexicon
Word Origin: Imperfect form of the verb εἰμί (eimi), which means "to be."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew equivalent of the Greek verb εἰμί (to be) is often represented by the verb היה (hayah), Strong's Hebrew Number 1961, which also means "to be" or "to exist." This connection highlights the continuity between the Old and New Testaments in expressing the concept of existence and being.

Usage: The term ἦν is used extensively in the New Testament to denote a state of being in the past. It is often employed to describe past actions, conditions, or states of existence.

Context: The Greek word ἦν is a fundamental component of the New Testament narrative, appearing frequently to convey past states of being. As the imperfect tense of εἰμί, it indicates continuous or repeated action in the past. This form is crucial for understanding the narrative flow and theological implications of various passages.

In the Gospel of John, ἦν is used to describe the pre-existence and eternal nature of Christ. For example, John 1:1 states, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Here, ἦν underscores the continuous existence of the Word (Logos) before creation, affirming the divinity and eternal nature of Christ.

The word also appears in contexts describing historical events or conditions, such as in Luke 2:8, "And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night." In this instance, ἦν helps set the scene for the birth of Jesus, providing a temporal framework for the narrative.

Theologically, ἦν is significant in discussions of Christology and the nature of God, as it often appears in passages that affirm the eternal and unchanging nature of God and His purposes. Its use in the New Testament is a testament to the continuity of God's plan and the fulfillment of His promises through Jesus Christ.

Forms and Transliterations
ην ἦν ηνίαι ηνίας ησαν ἦσαν en ên ēn ē̂n esan êsan ēsan ē̂san
Links
Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts














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