ἦ
ē
G2229
SILEX Entry
Definition
An adverb used to strengthen affirmation, primarily in formal statements or questions; expresses assurance or certainty (truly, indeed, surely). In contextual usage, it marks the forthcoming information as particularly notable or sets up a rhetorical contrast, especially when paired with μέν ('on the one hand').
Semantic Range
indeed, truly, assuredly, surely, certainly; intensive marker of affirmation used in contrastive or emphatic statements
Root / Etymology
Likely related to the particle ἤ, used in Greek for 'or,' but in this intensified form as an adverb of affirmation; precise derivation is unclear—etymology uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἦ appears rarely in the New Testament and more commonly in earlier Greek. In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ἦ serves as an affirmative or confirmatory particle, frequently found in both poetry and prose to convey strong agreement, emphasis, or in questions expecting confirmation (e.g., 'truly,' 'indeed'). In Koine and Septuagint Greek, the usage narrows, often connected to formal speech or rhetorical context, such as setting up a contrast with δέ ('but, on the other hand') using μέν ('on the one hand'). The New Testament only preserves ἦ in formulaic or highly rhetorical expressions, notably before μέν (e.g., 'surely, on the one hand'), and its absence elsewhere reflects broader particle change in Koine. Standard English translations like 'surely,' 'indeed,' or 'truly' partially capture the force but may miss the particle's discourse function. Not related to explicit affirmation (like ναὶ 'yes') but rather to strengthening what follows. The particle's function is distinct from similar-sounding ἤ ('or'), which acts as a conjunction. The nuanced emphatic use in Greek rhetoric is largely lost in direct translation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
an adverb of confirmation; perhaps intensive of ἤ; used only (in the New Testament) before μέν; assuredly:--surely.
Root Family
ἤ- (ē) — to confirm, to affirm, to assure
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 occurrences
No occurrences found.