εἴη
eimí
might be
To be, to exist, to live; the core copulative verb indicating existence, presence, or identity. Functions as the primary verb for expressing 'being' or existence, used to connect a subject with a predicate or to indicate presence in a particular state or condition. Semantic range includes factual existence ('to exist, to be'), locative or situational presence ('to be present, to be in a place or condition'), identity statements ('to be [something/someone]'), and, at times, expressing equivalence, belonging, or occurrence ('to mean, to signify, to occur, to take place').
Luke 3:15 · Word #17
Lexicon G1510
| Lemma | εἰμί |
| Transliteration | eimí |
| Strong's | G1510 |
| Definition | To be, to exist, to live; the core copulative verb indicating existence, presence, or identity. Functions as the primary verb for expressing 'being' or existence, used to connect a subject with a predicate or to indicate presence in a particular state or condition. Semantic range includes factual existence ('to exist, to be'), locative or situational presence ('to be present, to be in a place or condition'), identity statements ('to be [something/someone]'), and, at times, expressing equivalence, belonging, or occurrence ('to mean, to signify, to occur, to take place'). |
Morphology V PRS ACT OPT 3P SG
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | V — Verb — An action or state of being |
| Tense | PRS — Present — Ongoing or repeated action |
| Voice | ACT — Active — The subject performs the action |
| Mood | OPT — Optative — Expresses a wish |
| Person | 3P — 3rd person — The one spoken about ("he/she/it/they") |
| Number | SG — Singular — One |
Common Translation
| Phrase | might be |
| Literal | might-be |
Lexical Info
| Lemma | εἰμί |
| Strong's | G1510 |
SIBI-P1 Translation G1510-03
may it be
| Morphological Notes | Verb; present tense (ongoing state), active voice, optative mood (wish/potential), 3rd person singular. |
| Rendering Rationale | The present active optative, third person singular, expresses a wish or potentiality regarding ongoing existence or state. "May it be" captures the optative mood (wish/potential) and the core sense of being or existing. |
View full lexicon entry for G1510 →
SILEX v2
SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)
might be
| Same as P1 | No — adjusted for context |
| Rationale | P1 'may it be' is more of an optative wish or command; in this context, 'εἴη' serves as an optative expressing an uncertain possibility ('might be'), so 'might be' is correct for English idiom and context. |