G2 →

Α

A

G1 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Alpha, the first letter of the Greek alphabet. Used literally as a letter and symbolically to denote 'the first' or 'beginning,' especially in an ordered series. In word formation, as a prefix, alpha serves two specialized roles: (1) privative alpha (prefix ἀ- or α-) signals negation or absence of the word's underlying sense (e.g., ἄθεος, 'godless'); (2) copulative alpha (prefix ἀ-) in some rare compounds indicates union or concurrence. The symbol 'A' may also represent a numeral value (1) in Greek numbering systems.

Semantic Range

the first letter of the Greek alphabet, the first or beginning of a series, numeral one, prefix indicating absence or lack, prefix indicating union or togetherness (rare, archaic)

Root / Etymology

Greek letter alpha (Α, α), adopted from the Phoenician letter aleph; as a prefix, alpha privativum is of Greek origin, while its use in numerals reflects Greek alphabetic numeration. The copulative alpha is an older Greek usage, possibly related to PIE prefixal constructions.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Alpha as a letter is fundamental in ancient Greek writing and Greek-derived linguistic systems. Its symbolic use to mean 'the first' or 'beginning' is longstanding in Greek literature, continuing through Hellenistic and Roman periods, and employed in the New Testament in formulaic expressions such as ἐγώ εἰμι τὸ Ἄλφα καὶ τὸ Ὦ (e.g., Revelation 1:8), patterned after similar metaphoric language in Semitic literature. As an initial prefix, alpha privativum was a productive morphological tool in Koine and Classical Greek, signaling a lack or absence and thus forming antonyms. Copulative alpha as a prefix is rare and typically poetic or archaic by the Koine period, surviving in a few established compounds. English renderings such as 'Alpha' in religious texts are conventional, and do not capture the extended linguistic and cultural function of the letter in Greek.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of Hebrew origin; the first letter of the alphabet; figuratively, only (from its use as a numeral) the first: --Alpha. Often used (usually , before a vowel) also in composition (as a contraction from ἄνευ) in the sense of privation; so, in many words, beginning with this letter; occasionally in the sense of union (as a contraction of ἅμα).

Root Family

Αλφ- (A) — first, beginning, absence (privative), union (copulative)

Root Αλφ- first, beginning, absence (privative), union (copulative)

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1-01 Ἄλφα alpha N NOM N SG Alpha Alpha, the first letter Alpha, the first letter 3

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1-01 Revelation 1:8 Ἄλφα alpha N NOM N SG Alpha Alpha, the first letter Alpha, the first letter
G1-01 Revelation 21:6 Ἄλφα alpha N NOM N SG Alpha Alpha, the first letter Alpha, the first letter
G1-01 Revelation 22:13 Ἄλφα alpha N NOM N SG Alpha Alpha, the first letter Alpha, the first letter
Greek Lexicon G2 →