πότερον
póteron
G4220 adverb
SILEX Entry
Definition
Interrogative particle introducing a direct or indirect question expecting an answer that chooses between two alternatives; it frames an inquiry by presenting two possibilities and asking which of the two is the case. Functions similarly to 'whether' or 'which (of two)' in English, particularly in double or alternative questions.
Semantic Range
which (of two), whether (introducing alternatives), whether... or..., inquiring between alternatives
Root / Etymology
From the comparative base of πός / ποῦ ('where?'), with the neuter ending -ον. Related to Greek interrogative pronouns; the form is connected to words such as ποῖος (of what sort?) and πότερος (which of two?). The formation involves the comparative force indicating alternative possibilities.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, πότερον is used primarily to introduce the first alternative in a double or disjunctive question, often paired with ἤ ('or'). The construction 'πότερον... ἤ...' means 'whether... or...' or 'which one... or...'. Its use persists into Koine Greek but occurs infrequently in the New Testament (notably in Matt 9:5; 21:31). Sometimes its presence is optional or dropped in colloquial Greek, with questions simply using ἤ or word order to suggest alternatives. English translations often render πότερον as 'whether' or do not directly translate it, since English sometimes omits the explicit alternative particle. In later Greek, πότερον can appear in indirect questions ('he asked whether...'). While some translations ignore the word, it is idiomatic Greek for presenting alternatives, distinguishing it from simple yes/no (ἀρά) or open-ended (τίς, ποῖος) questions.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
neuter of a comparative of the base of ποῦ; interrogative as adverb, which (of two), i.e. is it this or that:--whether.
Root Family
πότερον (poteron) — which of two, whether (in alternative questions), between two possibilities
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4220-01 |
πότερον | poteron | ADV COMP |
whether | which of the two | whether | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4220-01 |
John 7:17 | πότερον | poteron | ADV COMP |
whether | which of the two | whether |