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ἀμφότερος

amphóteros

G297 indefinite pronoun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Both, referring collectively to two entities or groups considered together; emphasizes the inclusion of each member of a pair in statements about actions, attributes, or conditions. The core meaning is the total inclusion of both parts of a pair or binary set, not just one or the other.

Semantic Range

both (of two), both together, the two taken together, both sides, both parties

Root / Etymology

From the prepositional prefix ἀμφί (on both sides, around) combined with the comparative ending -τερος, indicating relation to two; thus literally 'on both sides' or 'both of two'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀμφότερος is used as an adjective to mean 'both' (of two items or persons), always in the plural and often with a pair that is conceptually or functionally linked. In Koine Greek, including the Septuagint and the New Testament, the term retains this sense and is regularly used for pairs such as 'both hands,' 'both groups,' or 'both parties.' Unlike ἑκάτερος ('each of the two,' focusing on the individual members), ἀμφότερος stresses the total set of two together. English translations such as 'both' do provide a generally accurate rendering, though the Greek form can have a slightly more inclusive or collective nuance. The word falls out of common use in later Byzantine and Modern Greek, replaced by forms like δύο or άλλος ... άλλος. It should not be confused with plural adjectives referring to numbers greater than two, which require other forms. Earliest attestations are found in Homer and throughout classical literature, with stable usage into the Hellenistic period.

Translation Consistency

primary "both" 14 occurrences

The Greek ἀμφότερος consistently means the pair-inclusive indefinite pronoun 'both.' It best matches the typical, natural English rendering across contexts (’both,’ ’both together,’ ’the two taken together’) and fits the SILEX semantic range. 'Both' is the clear, common-word choice used in the vast majority of existing renderings and will provide consistent, natural translations for all forms under this Strong’s number.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

comparative of (around); (in plural) both:--both.

Root Family

ἀμφότερος (amphoteros) — on both sides, both together, both of two

Root ἀμφ- on both sides, both together

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G297-02 ἀμφότεροι amphoteroi PRO.I NOM M PL both both of the two both of the two 7
G297-01 ἀμφότερα amphotera PRO.I ACC N PL both both together both 4
G297-03 ἀμφοτέροις amphoterois PRO.I DAT M PL both to both to both 1
G297-04 ἀμφοτέρων amphoteron PRO.I GEN M PL both of both together of both together 1
G297-05 ἀμφοτέρους amphoterous PRO.I ACC M PL both both of the two both of the two 1

Occurrences in Scripture

14 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G297-02 Matthew 9:17 ἀμφότεροι amphoteroi PRO.I NOM M PL both both of the two both of the two
G297-01 Matthew 13:30 ἀμφότερα amphotera PRO.I ACC N PL both both together both
G297-02 Matthew 15:14 ἀμφότεροι amphoteroi PRO.I NOM M PL both both of the two both of the two
G297-02 Luke 1:6 ἀμφότεροι amphoteroi QUAN NOM M PL both both of the two both of the two
G297-02 Luke 1:7 ἀμφότεροι amphoteroi PRO.I NOM M PL both both of the two both of the two
G297-01 Luke 5:7 ἀμφότερα amphotera QUAN ACC N PL both both together both
G297-02 Luke 6:39 ἀμφότεροι amphoteroi PRO.I NOM M PL both both of the two both of the two
G297-03 Luke 7:42 ἀμφοτέροις amphoterois PRO.I DAT M PL both to both to both
G297-02 Acts 8:38 ἀμφότεροι amphoteroi PRO.I NOM M PL both both of the two both of the two
G297-04 Acts 19:16 ἀμφοτέρων amphoteron PRO.I GEN M PL both of both together of both together
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