ὤν
ṓn
G5607
SILEX Entry
Definition
Present participle of εἰμί, meaning 'being' or 'existing'. Denotes the state of existing, being present, or possessing an ongoing condition or identity. It often functions to describe someone or something possessing certain attributes, qualities, or statuses, or to form circumstantial clauses that specify who, what, or how something is at a given time.
Semantic Range
being, existing, present, possessing a certain state, being present in a place, continuing in a condition, functioning as circumstantial clause
Root / Etymology
Present active participle form of the verb εἰμί ('to be'), from the root ἐσ-/εἰ-; a primary and ancient Indo-European root indicating existence or state of being.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ὤν is the masculine nominative singular present active participle of εἰμί. In Koine Greek, as in earlier periods, participles allow economical expression of ongoing actions, states, or circumstances. ὤν frequently appears in clauses that specify conditions (e.g., 'being in a place,' 'being the son of...'), and is commonly used in titles (e.g., ὁ ὤν, 'the one who is'—notably in Exodus 3:14 LXX as a rendering of the Tetragrammaton and in Revelation 1:4). Its meaning is limited to indicating present, ongoing existence or state in grammatical function, never denoting a past or future state. English translations such as 'being,' 'who is,' and related forms usually correspond, though their range in Greek may include subtle nuances of circumstance or duration lost in English 'be.' ὤν may connect to expressions of essential qualities or identity, especially in philosophical or theological discourse. The form remains standard from Homer through Koine periods, though its frequency and syntactical uses shift somewhat (e.g., more circumstantial participles in literary prose, more identity/statistical use in documentary papyri).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
present participle of εἰμί; being:--be, come, have.
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 occurrences
No occurrences found.