εἶναι
eînai
G1511
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be, to exist; the state or condition of existence or being. εἶναι primarily denotes the act or fact of existing, being present, or being in a particular condition. Its range encompasses existential statements ('to exist'), copular uses (linking subject to predicate, e.g., 'to be happy'), and forms part of periphrastic verbal constructions (indicating ongoing or completed action: 'to be doing', 'to have been done'). In idiomatic expressions, εἶναι can express concepts such as 'to belong', 'to pertain', or 'to have a certain status or role' within a particular context.
Semantic Range
to be, to exist, to be present, to have a role/status, to belong, to pertain, to be possible/necessary (in impersonal expressions), to form periphrastic tenses, to be the case, to be considered as, to happen (rare/idiomatic), existential ('there is/are'), copular ('is X'), idiomatic ('it is necessary,' 'it pleases')
Root / Etymology
From the root εἰμ-, a contracted form of the Proto-Indo-European *h₁es- ('to be, to exist'). εἶναι is the present active infinitive form of εἰμί ('I am'). Cognate with Latin esse, Sanskrit ás-, English 'is'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
εἶναι is the standard Koine Greek infinitive for the verb of existence and essence, 'to be,' and functions analogously to the English infinitive 'to be'. In classical, Hellenistic, and Koine periods, εἶναι is used in every genre—from philosophical discourse (e.g., Plato on 'being' and 'non-being') to everyday speech. The Septuagint and New Testament usage generally reflect its broad existential or copular sense, but also include idiomatic and participial constructions. Unlike some languages that use separate verbs for 'exist' and 'be', Greek typically uses εἶναι for both ideas. Some idiomatic uses (e.g., 'there is', 'it is necessary', or forming periphrastic tenses) may be translated into English with 'exist', 'be happening', or 'there is/are'. In translation history, 'to be' is often rendered simply, but nuances—like existential or modal senses—can be obscured. Standard English versions often do not represent all modal or idiomatic nuances of εἶναι; context determines its precise shade of meaning. In philosophical or theological Greek, εἶναι plays a significant technical role (notably in ontological discussions), but its fundamental grammatical function underlies almost all verbal expression. Distinct from other Greek verbs conveying 'become' (γίγνομαι, γίνομαι), which indicate change of state, εἶναι refers to the underlying state of being.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
present infinitive from εἰμί; to exist:--am, was. come, is, X lust after, X please well, there is, to be, was.
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 occurrences
No occurrences found.