3483. nai

Lexical Summary

nai: Yes, truly, verily

Original Word: ναί
Part of Speech: Particle, Disjunctive Particle
Transliteration: nai
Pronunciation: nah-ee
Phonetic Spelling: (nahee)
KJV: even so, surely, truth, verily, yea, yes
Word Origin: [a primary particle of strong affirmation]

1. yes

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

truly, yes

A primary particle of strong affirmation; yes -- even so, surely, truth, verily, yea, yes.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3483: ναί

ναί, a particle of assertion or confirmation (akin to νή; cf. Donaldson, Cratylus § 189), from Homer down, yea, verily, truly, assuredly, even so: Matthew 11:26; Luke 10:21; Philemon 1:20; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 16:7; Revelation 22:20; ναί, λέγω ὑμῖν κτλ., Matthew 11:9; Luke 7:26; Luke 11:51; Luke 12:5; ναί, λέγει τό πνεῦμα, Revelation 14:13; it is responsive and confirmatory of the substance of some question or statement: Matthew 9:28; Matthew 13:51; Matthew 15:27; Matthew 17:25; Matthew 21:16; Mark 7:28; John 11:27; John 21:15; Acts 5:8 (); ; Romans 3:29; a repeated ναί, most assuredly (A. V. yea, yea), expresses emphatic assertion, Matthew 5:37; ἤτω ὑμῶν τό ναί ναί, let your ναί be ναί, i. e. let your allegation be true, James 5:12 (Buttmann, 163 (142); Winer's Grammar, 59 (58)); εἶναι or γίνεσθαι ναί καί οὐ, to be or show oneself double-tongued, i. e. faithless, wavering, false, 2 Corinthians 1:18f; ἵνα παῥ ἐμοί τό ναί ναί καί τό οὐ οὐ, that with me should be found both a solemn affirmation and a most emphatic denial, i. e. that I so form my resolves as, at the dictate of pleasure or profit, not to carry them out, ibid. 17 (cf. Winer's Grammar, 460 (429)); ναί ἐν αὐτῷ γέγονεν, in him what was promised has come to pass, 2 Corinthians 1:19; ἐπαγγελίαι ἐν αὐτῷ τό ναί namely, γεγόνασιν, have been fulfilled, have been confirmed by the event, 2 Corinthians 1:20 (cf. Meyer at the passage). It is a particle of appeal or entreaty, like the (English yea) (German ja): with an imperative, ναί ... συλλαμβάνου αὐταῖς, Philippians 4:3 (where Rec. has καί for ναί); ναί ἔρχου, Revelation 22:20 Rec.; so ναί ναί, Judith 9:12. (A classification of the uses of ναί in the N. T. is given by Ellicott on Philippians 4:3; cf. Green, 'Grit. Note' on Matthew 11:26.)

Topical Lexicon

Overview and Definition

Strong’s Greek 3483 (ναί) is the standard New Testament particle of affirmation. Whether spoken by the Lord Jesus, His apostles, or other believers, it signals unambiguous agreement, truth, or confirmation. While its English equivalent is usually “yes,” ναί often functions with richer theological weight, sealing promises, confessions, or prophetic certainties.

Primary Categories of Use

1. Affirmative replies in dialogue
2. Confirmation of prophetic or revelatory statements
3. Liturgical assent in worship and doxology
4. Ethical emphasis on truthful speech
5. Christological and soteriological promises

Occurrences and Contexts

• Dialogical Affirmation – Ordinary conversation features ναί as a direct reply:
• Blind men to Jesus: “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “Yes, Lord.” (Matthew 9:28)
• The disciples: “Have you understood all these things?” “Yes.” (Matthew 13:51)
• Peter to Jesus after His resurrection: “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” (John 21:15–16)
• Inquiries before officials: “Are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes.” (Acts 22:27)

• Prophetic or Revelatory Confirmation – Speakers affirm a divine decree:
• Jesus: “Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight.” (Matthew 11:26; Luke 10:21)
• Revelation’s heavenly voices: “Yes, says the Spirit, they will rest from their labors.” (Revelation 14:13)
• John’s closing prayer: “Yes, Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20)

• Ethical Integrity – Jesus and James anchor personal truthfulness to ναί:
• “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:37; echoed in James 5:12)

This usage establishes ναί as a benchmark of unvarnished honesty for disciples.

• Pauline Theological Emphasis – The apostle Paul folds ναί into his doctrine of promise:
• “For the Son of God, Jesus Christ… was not ‘Yes’ and ‘No,’ but in Him it has always been ‘Yes.’” (2 Corinthians 1:19)
• “For all the promises of God are ‘Yes’ in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:20)

Here ναί becomes a shorthand for divine faithfulness, guaranteed in the person and work of Jesus.

• Liturgical Affirmation – Worship scenes adopt ναί as congregational assent:
• “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are Your judgments.” (Revelation 16:7)

Such responses mirror the Old Testament “Amen,” framing ναί as the Greek-speaking church’s consent to God’s righteousness.

Theological Significance

1. Reliability of Divine Promises

Ναί encapsulates the certainty of God’s word. Paul’s “Yes in Christ” assures believers that every covenant promise finds fulfillment, encouraging unwavering trust.

2. Integrity in Speech

Jesus links ναί to righteousness. A disciple’s credibility depends on plain, consistent speech—avoiding oaths, evasions, or duplicity.

3. Confession of Faith

Martha’s “Yes, Lord; I believe that You are the Christ” (John 11:27) illustrates ναί as the gateway to explicit Christological confession, paving the way for salvation testimony (Romans 10:9–10 echoes).

4. Eschatological Expectation

Revelation’s repeated ναί answers assure readers that prophecies—Christ’s return, martyr’s vindication, final judgment—are not hypothetical but settled reality.

Historical and Ministry Application

• Early Church Worship

Greek-speaking congregations likely echoed prophetic readings with ναί, paralleling Hebrew “Amen” in Jewish liturgy. This vocal assent reinforced communal participation in Scripture’s truths.

• Pastoral Counseling

Ministers employ ναί-centered texts (Matthew 5:37; 2 Corinthians 1:20) to cultivate sincerity and hope, urging believers to mirror God’s unwavering “Yes” in their commitments.

• Evangelism

Martha’s and Peter’s affirmative responses model personal engagement: the gospel summons an explicit ναί to Christ’s person and claims, not a vague nod to spirituality.

Comparison with Related Terms

• Amen (ἀμήν) – Often follows statements (“Truly,” “So be it”), whereas ναί is a direct affirmation preceding or answering speech. Together they convey both assent (ναί) and ratification (Amen).
• Ge (γε, Strong’s 1065) – An emphatic particle sometimes rendered “indeed,” but lacking the categorical agreement force of ναί.

Implications for Christian Living

1. Speak plainly; honor commitments (Matthew 5:37).
2. Anchor hope in God’s unqualified “Yes” realized in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20).
3. Respond to God’s revelation promptly and affirmatively (Revelation 22:20).
4. Employ ναί in prayer and worship as a heartfelt seal of agreement with divine truth.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 3483, ναί, threads through the New Testament as a concise yet potent affirmation. Whether voiced by the Father, the Son, the Spirit, apostles, or saints, it secures the reliability of God’s promises, calls believers to transparent integrity, and fuels worshipful expectation of Christ’s return. Every “Yes” in Scripture points believers to the ultimate “Yes” found in the Lord Jesus Christ—unchanging, trustworthy, and eternally triumphant.

Forms and Transliterations

ναι ναί ναὶ nai naí naì

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 5:37 Prtcl
GRK: λόγος ὑμῶν ναὶ ναί οὒ
NAS: But let your statement be, 'Yes, yes
KJV: communication be, Yea, yea; Nay,
INT: statement of you Yes yes no

Matthew 5:37 Prtcl
GRK: ὑμῶν ναὶ ναί οὒ οὔ
NAS: be, 'Yes, yes [or] 'No,
KJV: be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay:
INT: of you Yes yes no no

Matthew 9:28 Prtcl
GRK: λέγουσιν αὐτῷ Ναί κύριε
NAS: this? They said to Him, Yes, Lord.
KJV: They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
INT: They say to him Yes Lord

Matthew 11:9 Prtcl
GRK: προφήτην ἰδεῖν ναί λέγω ὑμῖν
NAS: A prophet? Yes, I tell
KJV: A prophet? yea, I say
INT: a prophet to see Yes I say to you

Matthew 11:26 Prtcl
GRK: ναί ὁ πατήρ
NAS: Yes, Father, for this way
KJV: Even so, Father: for
INT: Yes Father

Matthew 13:51 Prtcl
GRK: λέγουσιν αὐτῷ Ναί
NAS: They said to Him, Yes.
KJV: They say unto him, Yea, Lord.
INT: They say to him Yes

Matthew 15:27 Prtcl
GRK: δὲ εἶπεν Ναί κύριε καὶ
NAS: But she said, Yes, Lord; but even
KJV: And she said, Truth, Lord: yet
INT: moreover she said Yes master even

Matthew 17:25 Prtcl
GRK: λέγει Ναί καὶ ἐλθόντα
NAS: He said, Yes. And when he came
KJV: He saith, Yes. And when
INT: He says Yes And when he having entered

Matthew 21:16 Prtcl
GRK: λέγει αὐτοῖς Ναί οὐδέποτε ἀνέγνωτε
NAS: said to them, Yes; have you never
KJV: unto them, Yea; have ye never
INT: says to them Yes never did you read

Mark 7:28 Prtcl
GRK: λέγει αὐτῷ Ναί κύριε καὶ
NAS: and said to Him, Yes, Lord,
KJV: said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet
INT: says to him Yes Lord for even

Luke 7:26 Prtcl
GRK: ἰδεῖν προφήτην ναί λέγω ὑμῖν
NAS: A prophet? Yes, I say
KJV: A prophet? Yea, I say
INT: to see a prophet Yes I say to you

Luke 10:21 Prtcl
GRK: αὐτὰ νηπίοις ναί ὁ πατήρ
NAS: them to infants. Yes, Father,
KJV: them unto babes: even so, Father; for
INT: them to little children yes Father

Luke 11:51 Prtcl
GRK: τοῦ οἴκου ναί λέγω ὑμῖν
NAS: and the house [of God]; yes, I tell
KJV: and the temple: verily I say unto you,
INT: the house yes I say to you

Luke 12:5 Prtcl
GRK: τὴν γέενναν ναί λέγω ὑμῖν
NAS: into hell; yes, I tell
KJV: into hell; yea, I say unto you,
INT: hell yes I say to you

John 11:27 Prtcl
GRK: λέγει αὐτῷ Ναί κύριε ἐγὼ
NAS: She said to Him, Yes, Lord;
KJV: She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I
INT: She says to him Yes Lord I

John 21:15 Prtcl
GRK: λέγει αὐτῷ Ναί κύριε σὺ
NAS: He said to Him, Yes, Lord;
KJV: He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou
INT: He says to him Yes Lord you

John 21:16 Prtcl
GRK: λέγει αὐτῷ Ναί κύριε σὺ
NAS: Me? He said to Him, Yes, Lord;
KJV: He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou
INT: He says to him Yes Lord you

Acts 5:8 Prtcl
GRK: δὲ εἶπεν Ναί τοσούτου
NAS: And she said, Yes, that was the price.
KJV: And she said, Yea, for so much.
INT: and she said Yes for so much

Acts 22:27 Prtcl
GRK: δὲ ἔφη Ναί
NAS: And he said, Yes.
KJV: He said, Yea.
INT: moreover he said Yes

Romans 3:29 Prtcl
GRK: καὶ ἐθνῶν ναὶ καὶ ἐθνῶν
NAS: also? Yes, of Gentiles
KJV: of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles
INT: also of Gentiles Yes also of Gentiles

2 Corinthians 1:17 Prtcl
GRK: ἐμοὶ τό Ναί ναὶ καὶ
NAS: so that with me there will be yes, yes
KJV: me there should be yea yea, and
INT: me yes yes and

2 Corinthians 1:17 Prtcl
GRK: τό Ναί ναὶ καὶ τό
NAS: that with me there will be yes, yes and no,
KJV: there should be yea yea, and nay
INT: yes yes and

2 Corinthians 1:18 Prtcl
GRK: οὐκ ἔστιν Ναί καὶ Οὔ
NAS: our word to you is not yes and no.
KJV: was not yea and nay.
INT: not was yes and no

2 Corinthians 1:19 Prtcl
GRK: οὐκ ἐγένετο Ναί καὶ Οὔ
NAS: and Timothy-- was not yes and no,
KJV: was not yea and nay,
INT: not was yes and no

2 Corinthians 1:19 Prtcl
GRK: Οὔ ἀλλὰ Ναί ἐν αὐτῷ
NAS: was not yes and no, but is yes in Him.
KJV: him was yea.
INT: no but yes in him

Strong's Greek 3483
34 Occurrences

ναὶ — 34 Occ.