ἦν
eimí
there was
To be, to exist, to live; the core copulative verb indicating existence, presence, or identity. Functions as the primary verb for expressing 'being' or existence, used to connect a subject with a predicate or to indicate presence in a particular state or condition. Semantic range includes factual existence ('to exist, to be'), locative or situational presence ('to be present, to be in a place or condition'), identity statements ('to be [something/someone]'), and, at times, expressing equivalence, belonging, or occurrence ('to mean, to signify, to occur, to take place').
Luke 2:36 · Word #2
Lexicon G1510
| Lemma | εἰμί |
| Transliteration | eimí |
| Strong's | G1510 |
| Definition | To be, to exist, to live; the core copulative verb indicating existence, presence, or identity. Functions as the primary verb for expressing 'being' or existence, used to connect a subject with a predicate or to indicate presence in a particular state or condition. Semantic range includes factual existence ('to exist, to be'), locative or situational presence ('to be present, to be in a place or condition'), identity statements ('to be [something/someone]'), and, at times, expressing equivalence, belonging, or occurrence ('to mean, to signify, to occur, to take place'). |
Morphology V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | V — Verb — An action or state of being |
| Tense | IMPF — Imperfect — Continuous or repeated past action |
| Voice | ACT — Active — The subject performs the action |
| Mood | IND — Indicative — States a fact or reality |
| Person | 3P — 3rd person — The one spoken about ("he/she/it/they") |
| Number | SG — Singular — One |
Common Translation
| Phrase | there was |
| Literal | was |
Lexical Info
| Lemma | εἰμί |
| Strong's | G1510 |
SIBI-P1 Translation G1510-09
was existing
| Morphological Notes | Verb; imperfect tense, active voice, indicative mood, 3rd person singular (Gr,V,IIA3,,S,) — denotes ongoing past action or state. |
| Rendering Rationale | The imperfect active indicative, 3rd person singular, expresses continuous or ongoing existence in past time. "Was existing" preserves both the past tense and the durative aspect inherent in the imperfect form of εἰμί. |
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