687. ara

Lexicon

ara: then, therefore, so, consequently

Original Word: ἄρα
Part of Speech: Particle, Interrogative
Transliteration: ara
Pronunciation: ä'-rä
Phonetic Spelling: (ar'-ah)
Definition: then, therefore, so, consequently
Meaning: a particle asking a question, to which a negative answer is expected.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

therefore.

A form of ara, denoting an interrogation to which a negative answer is presumed -- therefore.

see GREEK ara

HELPS Word-studies

687 ára – whether. This difficult-to-translate interrogative particle (adverb) injects the element of surprise and the pressing need to respond. Depending on the context, 687 (ára) will emphasize the aspect of hesitation, bewilderment, etc. (J. B. Lightfoot).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from ara
Definition
an untranslatable interrog. particle implying anxiety or impatience.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 687: ἄρα (2)ἄρα (2), an interrogative particle (implying anxiety or impatience on the part of the questioner. Liddell and Scott, under the word) (of the same root as the preceding ἄρα, and only differing from it in that more vocal stress is laid upon the first syllable, which is therefore circumflexed);

1.numigitur, i. e. marking an inferential question to which a negative answer is expected: Luke 18:8; with γέ rendering it more pointed, ἄρα γέ (GT ἄραγε): Acts 8:30; (ἄρα οὖν ... διώκομεν Lachmann edition min. also major marginal reading are we then pursuing etc. Romans 14:19).

2. ergone i. e. a question to which an affirmative answer is expected, in an interrogative apodosis (German soistalsowohl?), he is then? Galatians 2:17 (where others (e. g. Lachmann) write ἄρα, so that this example is referred to those mentioned under ἄρα, 3, and is rendered Christ is then a minister of sin; but μή γένοιτο, which follows, is everywhere by Paul opposed to a question). Cf. Winers Grammar, 510f (475f) (also Buttmann, 247 (213), 371 (318); Herm. ad Vig., p. 820ff; Klotz ad Devar. ii., p. 180ff; speaking somewhat loosely, it may be said "ἄρα expresses bewilderment as to a possible conclusion ... ἄρα hesitates, while ἄρα concludes." Lightfoot on Galatians, the passage cited).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: A primary particle denoting an inference or conclusion.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent to the Greek particle ἄρα, similar functions are often performed by Hebrew conjunctions and particles that indicate logical conclusions or results. Some Hebrew words that might serve a similar purpose in context include:

- לָכֵן (lakhen) • "therefore"
- עַל־כֵּן (al-ken) • "therefore," "thus"
- וְ (ve) • "and," "so" (in some contexts)

These Hebrew terms, like ἄρα, are used to connect thoughts and indicate conclusions or results within the narrative or argument.

Usage: The particle ἄρα appears in various contexts within the New Testament to indicate a logical conclusion or to draw an inference from the preceding statements. It is used to connect thoughts and to show the result or implication of a previous statement.

Context: The Greek particle ἄρα is a versatile term used in the New Testament to indicate logical conclusions or inferences. It is a common linguistic tool in Koine Greek, serving to connect statements and to highlight the result or implication of a preceding argument or narrative. The use of ἄρα can be seen in various New Testament passages, where it helps to clarify the logical flow of the text.

For example, in Romans 7:25, Paul uses ἄρα to conclude his discussion on the struggle between the law of God and the law of sin: "Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then (ἄρα), with my mind I serve the law of God, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin." Here, ἄρα introduces the conclusion drawn from the preceding discourse on the internal conflict experienced by believers.

Similarly, in Galatians 6:10, Paul writes, "Therefore (ἄρα), as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith." The use of ἄρα here indicates a conclusion based on the prior exhortation to sow to the Spirit and reap eternal life.

The particle ἄρα is not merely a filler word but serves a critical function in the logical structure of biblical arguments. It helps readers and listeners to follow the reasoning of the biblical authors and to understand the implications of their teachings.

Forms and Transliterations

αρα ἄρα ἆρα Ἆρά αραβά άραβα αραβώθ ara ára âra Ârá

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 18:1 Conj
GRK: λέγοντες Τίς ἄρα μείζων ἐστὶν
INT: saying Who then [the] greatest is

Matthew 19:25 Conj
GRK: λέγοντες Τίς ἄρα δύναται σωθῆναι
INT: saying Who then is able to be saved

Matthew 19:27 Conj
GRK: σοι τί ἄρα ἔσται ἡμῖν
INT: you what then will be to us

Matthew 24:45 Conj
GRK: Τίς ἄρα ἐστὶν ὁ
INT: Who then is the

Mark 4:41 Conj
GRK: ἀλλήλους Τίς ἄρα οὗτός ἐστιν
INT: each other Who then this is

Mark 11:13 Conj
GRK: ἦλθεν εἰ ἄρα τι εὑρήσει
INT: he went if perhaps anything he will find

Luke 1:66 Conj
GRK: λέγοντες Τί ἄρα τὸ παιδίον
INT: saying What then the child

Luke 8:25 Conj
GRK: ἀλλήλους Τίς ἄρα οὗτός ἐστιν
INT: one another Who then this is

Luke 12:42 Conj
GRK: κύριος Τίς ἄρα ἐστὶν ὁ
INT: Lord Who then is the

Luke 18:8 Conj
GRK: ἀνθρώπου ἐλθὼν ἆρα εὑρήσει τὴν
KJV: Nevertheless when the Son
INT: of man having come indeed will he find

Luke 22:23 Conj
GRK: τὸ τίς ἄρα εἴη ἐξ
INT: this who then it might be of

Acts 8:22 Conj
GRK: κυρίου εἰ ἄρα ἀφεθήσεταί σοι
INT: Lord if indeed may be forgiven to you

Acts 8:30 Conj
GRK: καὶ εἶπεν Ἆρά γε γινώσκεις
KJV: said, Understandest thou what
INT: and said then also know you

Acts 12:18 Conj
GRK: στρατιώταις τί ἄρα ὁ Πέτρος
INT: soldiers what then [of] Peter

Acts 17:27 Conj
GRK: θεὸν εἰ ἄρα γε ψηλαφήσειαν
INT: God if perhaps indeed they might feel after

Acts 21:38 Conj
GRK: οὐκ ἄρα σὺ εἶ
INT: Not then you are

2 Corinthians 1:17 Conj
GRK: βουλόμενος μήτι ἄρα τῇ ἐλαφρίᾳ
INT: purposing not indeed lightness

Galatians 2:17 Conj
GRK: αὐτοὶ ἁμαρτωλοί ἆρα Χριστὸς ἁμαρτίας
KJV: sinners, [is] therefore Christ
INT: ourselves sinners [is] then Christ of sin

Strong's Greek 687
18 Occurrences

ἄρα — 18 Occ.