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ὅταν

hótan

G3752 subordinating conjunction

SILEX Entry

Definition

A temporal conjunction meaning 'whenever,' introducing a subordinate clause referring to an indefinite point or period in time when a specified event or condition occurs. Signals a general or repeated temporal relationship rather than a single instance. In some contexts, indicates conditional or hypothetical time ('if/when').

Semantic Range

whenever, at any time when, every time that, as often as, when (in contexts implying uncertainty or repetition), while (if indefinite), inasmuch as (rare, in certain constructions)

Root / Etymology

Compound of ὅτε ('when') and ἄν (modal particle indicating indefiniteness or contingency).

Historical & Contextual Notes

ὅταν appears frequently in Koine Greek, especially in the New Testament, to introduce temporal clauses referring to habitual, recurring, or indefinite future actions. Unlike ὅτε, which specifies a definite occasion ('when'), ὅταν adds nuance of generality, indeterminacy, or potential recurrence, due to the presence of ἄν. The clause introduced by ὅταν typically takes a subjunctive verb, reinforcing its indeterminate or potential nature. In classical Greek, ὅταν is already attested and maintains a similar indefinite temporal sense. Septuagint and New Testament usage follows this function, often corresponding to Hebrew temporal phrases combining conjunctions and indefinite/conditional particles. Standard English translations (e.g., 'whenever,' 'when,' 'as often as') do not always convey the potential or repeated aspect embedded in ὅταν. No significant theological development is attached to the word; it functions as a grammatical marker of indefinite or repeated time.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ὅτε and ἄν; whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as:--as long (soon) as, that, + till, when(-soever), while.

Root Family

ὅτ- (hótan) — when, whenever (indefinite/contingent time)

Root ὅτ- when, whenever (indefinite/contingent time)
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G3753 ὅτε when
G3754 ὅτι that

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3752-01 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever 123

Occurrences in Scripture

123 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3752-01 Luke 11:36 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever when
G3752-01 Luke 12:11 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 Luke 12:54 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 Luke 12:55 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 Luke 13:28 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 Luke 14:8 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 Luke 14:10 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 Luke 14:10 ὅταν otan-2 CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 Luke 14:12 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 Luke 14:13 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 Luke 16:4 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 Luke 16:9 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 Luke 17:10 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 Luke 21:7 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever when
G3752-01 Luke 21:9 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 Luke 21:20 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever when
G3752-01 Luke 21:30 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 Luke 21:31 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 Luke 23:42 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever when
G3752-01 John 2:10 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever when
G3752-01 John 4:25 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever when
G3752-01 John 5:7 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 John 7:27 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 John 7:31 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever when
G3752-01 John 8:28 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever when
G3752-01 John 8:44 ὅταν otan CONJ.S whenever whenever whenever
G3752-01 John 9:5 ὅταν otan CONJ.S As long as whenever whenever
G3752-01 John 10:4 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 John 13:19 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 John 14:29 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 John 15:26 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 John 16:4 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever when
G3752-01 John 16:13 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 John 16:21 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 John 16:21 ὅταν otan-2 CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 John 21:18 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 Acts 23:35 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever when
G3752-01 Acts 24:22 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever when
G3752-01 Romans 2:14 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 Romans 11:27 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 1 Corinthians 3:4 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 1 Corinthians 13:10 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 1 Corinthians 14:26 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 1 Corinthians 15:24 ὅταν otan ADV when whenever whenever
G3752-01 1 Corinthians 15:24 ὅταν otan-2 ADV when whenever whenever
G3752-01 1 Corinthians 15:27 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 1 Corinthians 15:28 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 1 Corinthians 15:54 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 1 Corinthians 16:2 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
G3752-01 1 Corinthians 16:3 ὅταν otan CONJ.S when whenever whenever
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