ἤτω
ḗtō
G2277
SILEX Entry
Definition
Third person singular present active imperative of 'to be'; expresses the concept of 'let him/her/it be,' functioning as a command, wish, or permission for a state of being to exist or continue. Used to mandate, allow, or consent to the existence or continuation of a person, object, quality, or state, depending on context.
Semantic Range
let him/her/it be, let there be (existence brought about or allowed), let continue (allowing a state to persist), permit to be (authorizing a state of being), command to be (directing a person or thing to be as stated)
Root / Etymology
Formed from the verb εἰμί (to be), specifically the third person singular present active imperative. The imperative forms of εἰμί are irregular and are fossilized remnants of older Indo-European forms.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Koine Greek, ἤτω is notably rare and chiefly preserved in literary, formal, or scriptural language, found in conditional, legal, or formulaic statements (e.g. 'let it be so,' 'let there be...' cf. Genesis 1 in the Septuagint). Its use in commands or permissions resembles the Hebrew יְהִי (yĕhī) in biblical texts. Most commonly occurs at the start of subordinate clauses in legal, ethical, or liturgical expressions. Distinct from other Greek imperatives because εἰμί ('to be') itself rarely forms imperatives except in such formulaic or archaizing contexts. English translations often render it as 'let there be,' 'let him/her/it be,' but these can obscure the permissive or declarative force found in Greek.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
third person singular imperative of εἰμί; let him (or it) be:--let … be.
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 occurrences
No occurrences found.