2503. ióta

Lexicon

ióta: iota, jot

Original Word: ἰῶτα
Part of Speech: Indeclinable Letter (Noun)
Transliteration: ióta
Pronunciation: ee-OH-tah
Phonetic Spelling: (ee-o'-tah)
Definition: iota, jot
Meaning: iota, a small letter of the Greek alphabet, used in the NT (like yod, the Hebrew or rather Aramaic letter which was the smallest of all) to indicate the smallest part.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

jot, iota

Of Hebrew origin (the tenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet); "iota", the name of the smallest letter of the Greek alphabet, put (figuratively) for a very small part of anything -- jot.

HELPS Word-studies

2503 iṓta ("jot" in the KJV) – "yōd, the smallest Hebrew (Aramaic) letter" (Souter). By analogy, the Hebrew letter yōd refers to the Greek letter, iōta (the smallest letter in the Greek alphabet). This symbolizes how each and every detail of the Hebrew-Greek text of Scripture (its grammar) is guaranteed by the Lord Himself to be inerrant and unstoppably powerful!

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of Semitic origin; name of the Gr. letter corresponding to the tenth Heb. letter, yod
Definition
iota
NASB Translation
letter (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2503: ἰῶτα

ἰῶτα, τό, iota (A. V. jot), the Hebrew letter, yodh י, the smallest of them all; hence equivalent to the minutest part: Matthew 5:18. (Cf. Iota.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Of Hebrew origin, corresponding to the Hebrew letter י (yodh).

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The corresponding Hebrew entry is Strong's Hebrew 3068, י (yodh), which is the tenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet and similarly represents the smallest letter in Hebrew script.

Usage: The term ἰῶτα is used in the New Testament to emphasize the importance of even the smallest details of the Law. It appears in contexts where precision and completeness are highlighted.

Context: The Greek term ἰῶτα (iōta) is derived from the Hebrew letter י (yodh), which is the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet. In the New Testament, ἰῶτα is used metaphorically to stress the significance of every part of the Law, down to the smallest letter or stroke. This usage is famously found in Matthew 5:18, where Jesus states, "For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single iota, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished" (BSB). Here, ἰῶτα underscores the enduring nature and divine authority of the Scriptures, affirming that God's commandments are to be fully observed and fulfilled.

The metaphorical use of ἰῶτα reflects a broader biblical principle that God's Word is perfect and complete, and even the smallest details are significant. This concept is consistent with the Jewish tradition of meticulous attention to the text of the Torah, where scribes and scholars have historically placed great emphasis on the precise transmission of the Scriptures.

In a broader theological context, the use of ἰῶτα serves as a reminder of the integrity and reliability of God's Word. It calls believers to a high regard for Scripture, encouraging them to study and adhere to its teachings with diligence and reverence.

Forms and Transliterations

ιωτα ιώτα ἰῶτα κάβου iota iôta iōta iō̂ta

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 5:18 N
GRK: ἡ γῆ ἰῶτα ἓν ἢ
NAS: not the smallest letter or
KJV: pass, one jot or one
INT: the earth jot one or

Strong's Greek 2503
1 Occurrence

ἰῶτα — 1 Occ.