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εἴτε

eíte

G1535 correlative conjunction

SILEX Entry

Definition

A conditional particle introducing alternative possibilities; denotes 'whether,' 'if,' or 'either...or' in a statement or question. Used to present an option between alternatives, frequently in correlative clauses (paired as 'either...or'), or to introduce indirect or direct questions or conditions.

Semantic Range

if, whether, either...or, introducing alternative conditions, indicating possibilities in a statement or question

Root / Etymology

From the particle εἰ ('if') and the enclitic τε ('and,' 'also'). The word functions as a conjunction or particle forming alternatives; this compounding is common in Greek for marking sequential or correlated elements. No influence from non-Greek etymologies is attested.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, εἴτε is primarily used to introduce the members of an alternative or to present possibilities, especially in the form 'εἴτε...εἴτε' ('whether...or...'). In the Septuagint and New Testament, it functions similarly, introducing options, alternatives, or conditional sequences. English translations often render εἴτε as 'whether,' 'if,' or with 'either...or,' but may obscure the conjunctive or conditional nuance in some cases. The particle is less about logical disjunction than indicating potential alternatives within a statement. Distinguished from ἤ ('or') in that ἤ is strictly a simple disjunctive, while εἴτε often introduces conditions or possible situations and regularly correlates with other conditional clauses. Its frequency and flexible use in legal, philosophical, and narrative Greek highlight its importance as a marker of alternatives and conditions. Earliest attested in classical prose; usage is consistent across Koine Greek literature.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from εἰ and τέ; if too:--if, or, whether.

Root Family

εἴτε (eite) — if, whether, presenting alternatives

Root εἰ-τε if, whether, presenting alternatives

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1535-01 εἴτε eite PART or whether whether 65

Occurrences in Scripture

65 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1535-01 Romans 12:6 εἴτε eite PART whether whether whether
G1535-01 Romans 12:7 εἴτε eite CONJ.C if whether whether
G1535-01 Romans 12:7 εἴτε eite-2 CONJ.C or whether whether
G1535-01 Romans 12:8 εἴτε eite CONJ.C or whether whether
G1535-01 1 Corinthians 3:22 εἴτε eite PART whether whether whether
G1535-01 1 Corinthians 3:22 εἴτε eite-2 CONJ.C or whether whether
G1535-01 1 Corinthians 3:22 εἴτε eite-3 CONJ.C or whether whether
G1535-01 1 Corinthians 3:22 εἴτε eite-4 CONJ.C or whether whether
G1535-01 1 Corinthians 3:22 εἴτε eite-5 CONJ.C or whether whether
G1535-01 1 Corinthians 3:22 εἴτε eite-6 CONJ.C or whether whether
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