Tittle
Jump to: ATSISBEEaston'sWebster'sConcordanceThesaurusGreekLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
A "tittle" is a small mark or stroke in writing, often used to denote the smallest part of a letter. In the context of the Bible, the term is most famously referenced in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Matthew. The word "tittle" is derived from the Greek word "keraia," which refers to a small stroke or projection in Hebrew letters, akin to the dot of an "i" or the cross of a "t."

Biblical Reference:

The concept of a tittle is mentioned in Matthew 5:18, where Jesus emphasizes the enduring authority and precision of the Law. The Berean Standard Bible translates this verse as follows: "For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." Here, "jot" refers to the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet, "yodh," and "stroke of a pen" is understood to mean "tittle."

Theological Significance:

The mention of a tittle underscores the importance of every detail in the Scriptures. Jesus' statement in Matthew 5:18 highlights the belief in the divine inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible, suggesting that even the smallest components of the Law are significant and will be fulfilled. This reflects a high view of Scripture, where every word and letter is considered purposeful and authoritative.

Interpretation and Application:

From a conservative Christian perspective, the reference to a tittle serves as a reminder of the meticulous care with which God's Word has been preserved and transmitted through generations. It affirms the belief that the Scriptures are complete and perfect, down to the smallest detail. This passage is often cited in discussions about the reliability and trustworthiness of the Bible, reinforcing the idea that God's promises and commands are unchanging and eternal.

Historical Context:

In the time of Jesus, the scribes and teachers of the Law were known for their detailed and precise copying of the Scriptures. The reference to a tittle would have resonated with Jesus' audience, who understood the meticulous nature of scriptural transcription. This attention to detail was crucial in maintaining the integrity of the biblical texts over centuries.

Conclusion:

The concept of a tittle in the Bible serves as a powerful illustration of the precision and permanence of God's Word. It reflects the belief that every part of Scripture, no matter how small, holds significance and will ultimately be fulfilled according to God's divine plan.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A point, (Matthew 5:18; Luke 16:17), the minute point or stroke added to some letters of the Hebrew alphabet to distinguish them from others which they resemble; hence, the very least point.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(n.) A particle; a minute part; a jot; an iota.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
TITTLE

tit'-'-l (keraia (Westcott-Hort, kerea), from keras, "a horn"): A small stroke or mark, specif. on a letter to denote accent, or as a diacritical mark; used only in Matthew 5:18 and Luke 16:17. In the first passage it is used in connection with iota, or jot, i.e. the very smallest thing, and in both it refers to the minutiae of the Law. It is well known that the scribes paid the greatest attention to such marks attached to the letters in the Hebrew Scriptures, the Massoretic Text of which abounds in them.

See JOT; YODH.

Greek
2762. keraia -- a little horn
... a (). ["Tittle" comes from the Latin, -- the stroke above an abbreviated
word -- and later, any small mark. "In . ... 1). tittle, stroke. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2762.htm - 7k
Library

Monoimus on the Sabbath; Allegorizes the Rod of Moses; Notion ...
... The world, then, as Moses says, was made in six days, that is, by six powers,
which (are inherent) in the one tittle of the iota. ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter vii monoimus on the sabbath.htm

Monoimus; Man the Universe, According to Monoimus; his System of ...
... As an illustration, however, consider, he says, as a greatest image of
the perfect man, the one jot"that one tittle. And this ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter v monoimus man the universe.htm

Monoimus' "Iota;" his Notion of the "Son of Man. "
... Book VIII. Chapter VI."Mono??mus' "Iota;" His Notion of the "Son of Man.". The monad,
(that is,) the one tittle, is [932] therefore, he says, also a decade. ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter vi monoimus iota his notion.htm

Chapter viii.
... it by perfecting it; and accordingly He follows up with the statement, "Verily I
say unto you, [76] Till heaven and earth pass, one iota or one tittle shall in ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter viii.htm

Monoimus.
... But inasmuch as this is one iota and one tittle, and what is perfect (emanates)
from what is perfect, or, in other words, a tittle flows down from above ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter xiii monoimus.htm

The Sermon on the Mount.
... is still going on, and will be until the end of the world.] 18 For verily I say
unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlii the sermon on the 4.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... For verily I say unto you: Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle
shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 25 upon our lords.htm

Proverbs i. 28
... What was needed at the beginning of the gospel is no less needed now; we cannot
spare one jot or one tittle of this gracious language; now, as ever, the free ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/arnold/the christian life/lecture xii proverbs i 28.htm

Pythagoras' Duality of Substances; his "Categories. "
... But of this (latter) is the quaternion having the iota, the one tittle,
[656] a perfect number. And there likewise is, according ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xix pythagoras duality of substances.htm

The Positive Side
... For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle
shall in nowise pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the law and the saint/the positive side.htm

Thesaurus
Tittle (2 Occurrences)
...TITTLE. tit'-'-l (keraia (Westcott-Hort, kerea), from keras, "a horn"): A small
stroke or mark, specif. ... Multi-Version Concordance Tittle (2 Occurrences). ...
/t/tittle.htm - 8k

Jot (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) An iota; a point; a tittle; the smallest particle. Cf. Bit, n. ... The tittle
(which see) is the smallest part of a letter (not part of ay, however). ...
/j/jot.htm - 8k

Law (670 Occurrences)
... For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle
shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished ...
/l/law.htm - 101k

Verily (146 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one
tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. ...
/v/verily.htm - 39k

Wise (422 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one
tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. ...
/w/wise.htm - 40k

Fulfilled (143 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one
tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (KJV WBS). ...
/f/fulfilled.htm - 36k

Titles (2 Occurrences)

/t/titles.htm - 6k

Till (774 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one
tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. ...
/t/till.htm - 36k

Minute (19 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A coin; a half farthing. 5. (n.) A very small part of anything, or anything
very small; a jot; a tittle. 6. (n.) A point of time; a moment. ...
/m/minute.htm - 13k

Fail (130 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Luke 16:17 And it is easier for heaven and
earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. (KJV DBY WBS NAS). ...
/f/fail.htm - 43k

Resources
What is a jot? What is a tittle? | GotQuestions.org

What is Verbal Plenary Preservation? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about Matthew | GotQuestions.org

Tittle: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Tittle (2 Occurrences)

Matthew 5:18
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
(KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Luke 16:17
And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.
(KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Subtopics

Tittle

Related Terms

Titus's (1 Occurrence)

Savior (60 Occurrences)

Zenas (1 Occurrence)

Sober (18 Occurrences)

Saviour (157 Occurrences)

Apollos (11 Occurrences)

Exhort (37 Occurrences)

Tychicus (5 Occurrences)

Filthy (22 Occurrences)

Encourage (34 Occurrences)

Diligent (33 Occurrences)

Manius

Minded (36 Occurrences)

Sensible (15 Occurrences)

Crete (7 Occurrences)

Fable

Deeds (309 Occurrences)

Josephus

Lover (55 Occurrences)

Gravity (3 Occurrences)

Flavius

Rebuke (77 Occurrences)

Reprobate (8 Occurrences)

Exhorted (15 Occurrences)

Dalmatia (1 Occurrence)

Disorderly (8 Occurrences)

Presbyter

Presbytery (1 Occurrence)

Loving (292 Occurrences)

Stedfast (84 Occurrences)

Shewing (23 Occurrences)

Conduct (93 Occurrences)

Showing (41 Occurrences)

Candlestick (34 Occurrences)

Subjection (40 Occurrences)

Mankind (80 Occurrences)

Temperate (6 Occurrences)

Justus (3 Occurrences)

Reproach (124 Occurrences)

Bid (35 Occurrences)

Disobedient (30 Occurrences)

Profit (143 Occurrences)

Good (8348 Occurrences)

Magistrate (9 Occurrences)

Behavior (20 Occurrences)

Convict (12 Occurrences)

Avoid (31 Occurrences)

Philippians (2 Occurrences)

Pure (160 Occurrences)

Deed (71 Occurrences)

Lutheran

Behaviour (115 Occurrences)

Abundantly (73 Occurrences)

Feel (58 Occurrences)

Luke (4 Occurrences)

Timothy (28 Occurrences)

Constantly (47 Occurrences)

Example (54 Occurrences)

Pastoral

Behalf (140 Occurrences)

Ashamed (131 Occurrences)

Act (204 Occurrences)

Desired (144 Occurrences)

Evangelist (2 Occurrences)

Second (2060 Occurrences)

Kindness (295 Occurrences)

Elder (34 Occurrences)

Common (118 Occurrences)

Younger (39 Occurrences)

Young (3454 Occurrences)

Comfort (130 Occurrences)

Lacking (53 Occurrences)

Lusts (28 Occurrences)

Guided (86 Occurrences)

Worthless (103 Occurrences)

Wanting (27 Occurrences)

Fulfilment (25 Occurrences)

Filth (21 Occurrences)

Titles of the Messiah
Top of Page
Top of Page