βελτίον
beltíon
G957 adverb
SILEX Entry
Definition
Comparative adjective in the neuter singular, meaning 'better' with respect to value, quality, or suitability. Used especially to indicate that one thing, circumstance, or action is preferable or more favorable than another, typically in the context of a statement or decision ('it is better' or 'very well').
Semantic Range
better (in quality or moral sense), more advantageous, preferable, very well (in expression of assent or evaluation)
Root / Etymology
Derived as the neuter comparative form from the adjectival root βελτ- (from βελτίων), itself a comparative form built from the same Proto-Indo-European root as βέλτιστα (superlative) and associated with βάλλω only etymologically, not in sense. The underlying comparative is for ἀγαθός ('good'), with alternative roots in Greek for comparatives (better: βελτίων, κρείττων) as opposed to the base adjective.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, βέλτιστος and its comparative forms (βελτίων, neuter βέλτιον, and less frequently βελτίον) are alternative forms to κρείττων/-ον as comparatives of ἀγαθός ('good'), but are typically used with reference to moral or qualitative goodness, rather than power or strength (κρείττων). In Koine Greek, βελτίον (usually neuter and impersonal: 'it is better') is somewhat rare and more formal than κρείττον, but occurs in advice, assessments, or recommendations. In New Testament usage, the nuance is of moral, situational, or qualitative preference—often in impersonal (neuter) statements (e.g., 'it is better to...'). English translations typically render as 'better' or 'very well', but may underrepresent the more qualitative connotations of the term. The word is not related in sense to βάλλω ('to throw'), though a distant etymological connection exists. In the Septuagint and Hellenistic literature, the word is rare and overlaps with κρεῖττον/κρείττων. Before the Koine period, βελτίων was more common in Attic Greek and high-style registers, displaced somewhat by κρείττων in later usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
neuter of a compound of a derivative of βάλλω (used for the comparative of ἀγαθός); better:--very well.
Root Family
βελτίων / βελτ- (beltíōn / belt-) — better, more excellent, more advantageous, preferable
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G957-01 |
βέλτιον | beltion | ADV COMP |
very well | better | better | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G957-01 |
2 Timothy 1:18 | βέλτιον | beltion | ADV COMP |
very well | better | better |