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ἄν

án

G302 particle

SILEX Entry

Definition

A particle used to introduce conditionality, contingency, or indefiniteness, especially in clauses expressing potentiality, generalization, or uncertainty. Most commonly appears in conjunction with relative pronouns and adverbs to convey indefiniteness ('whoever,' 'wherever,' etc.), and with verbs in the subjunctive mood to indicate something that might occur under certain circumstances.

Semantic Range

marks subjunctive potential; expresses indefiniteness in relative clauses; introduces conditionality or contingency; conveys hypothetical or generic situations; sometimes imparts politeness or softening in requests

Root / Etymology

From the Greek root uncertain; likely an enclitic particle of conditional or indefinite force, sometimes seen as a contraction or form related to ἐάν ('if, in case'). Some sources treat ἄν as primary, and ἐάν as a compound (ἐι + ἄν). The precise etymology is uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ἄν is a key feature of Greek conditional and indefinite clauses. In classical Greek, it often follows relative pronouns (e.g., ὅστις ἄν, 'whoever') and is used with the subjunctive to mark potential or general occurrences. Over time, especially in the Koine period, it also signaled uncertainty or open conditions. In the New Testament and Septuagint, it frequently appears in generic or indefinite statements (e.g., 'whoever believes'), in modal clauses, and sometimes to convey polite or hypothetical requests. ἄν is not always translated directly into English; its function is often captured by modal auxiliaries ('may,' 'might,' 'would') or indefinite pronouns/adverbs ('whoever,' 'wherever'). The relationship between ἄν and ἐάν is complex: ἐάν primarily introduces protasis of conditional sentences ('if'), whereas ἄν modifies the force of relatives or verbs to express possibility or indefiniteness. English translations rarely render ἄν with a distinct word, so its grammatical role is often implicit. Its scope is broader and more nuanced than traditional glosses ('whoever,' 'whosoever,' etc.) suggest. Unlike definite relative constructions, those with ἄν describe generalized or conceivable scenarios. In some contexts, omitting ἄν in translation can obscure the openness or possibility present in the Greek.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty:--(what-, where-, wither-, who-)soever. Usually unexpressed except by the subjunctive or potential mood. Also contracted for ἐάν.

Root Family

uncertain (bótrys) — proper name, personal name

Root uncertain to indicate possibility, to express indefiniteness, to introduce contingency
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1009 βότρυς clusters
G1050 Γάϊος to Gaius
G1055 γαλήνη calm stillness
G108 Ἄζωτος Ashdod
G1148 Δαλμανουθά of Dalmanoutha

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G302-01 ἂν an T ever would potentially would 166

Occurrences in Scripture

166 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G302-01 Matthew 2:13 ἂν an T until would potentially I
G302-01 Matthew 5:18 ἂν an T when would potentially would potentially
G302-01 Matthew 5:18 ἂν an-2 T when would potentially would potentially
G302-01 Matthew 5:19 ἂν an T ever would potentially ever
G302-01 Matthew 5:21 ἂν an T ever would potentially would potentially
G302-01 Matthew 5:22 ἂν an T ever would potentially
G302-01 Matthew 5:22 ἂν an-2 T ever would potentially
G302-01 Matthew 5:26 ἂν an T you would potentially would
G302-01 Matthew 5:31 ἂν an T shall would potentially would
G302-01 Matthew 10:11 ἂν an T ever would potentially would potentially
G302-01 Matthew 10:11 ἂν an-2 T ever would potentially would potentially
G302-01 Matthew 10:14 ἂν an T ever would potentially would
G302-01 Matthew 10:23 ἂν an T - would potentially would
G302-01 Matthew 10:33 ἂν an T shall would potentially would
G302-01 Matthew 11:21 ἂν an T they would have would potentially would
G302-01 Matthew 11:23 ἂν an T (would-have) would potentially would potentially
G302-01 Matthew 12:7 ἂν an T would would potentially would
G302-01 Matthew 12:20 ἂν an T he would potentially possibly
G302-01 Matthew 12:32 ἂν an T ever would potentially ever
G302-01 Matthew 12:50 ἂν an T shall would potentially would
G302-01 Matthew 15:5 ἂν an T ever would potentially would
G302-01 Matthew 16:25 ἂν an T ever would potentially would
G302-01 Matthew 16:28 ἂν an T [until] would potentially would
G302-01 Matthew 18:6 ἂν an T ever would potentially would
G302-01 Matthew 19:9 ἂν an T ever would potentially would
G302-01 Matthew 20:27 ἂν an T wants would potentially would
G302-01 Matthew 21:22 ἂν an T you might would potentially might
G302-01 Matthew 21:44 ἂν an T ever would potentially ever
G302-01 Matthew 22:44 ἂν an T I would potentially would potentially
G302-01 Matthew 23:16 ἂν an T ever would potentially would
G302-01 Matthew 23:16 ἂν an-2 T ever would potentially would
G302-01 Matthew 23:18 ἂν an T may would potentially may
G302-01 Matthew 23:18 ἂν an-2 T may would potentially
G302-01 Matthew 23:30 ἂν an T would would potentially would
G302-01 Matthew 23:39 ἂν an T ever would potentially would potentially
G302-01 Matthew 24:22 ἂν an T would would potentially would potentially
G302-01 Matthew 24:34 ἂν an T - would potentially would potentially
G302-01 Matthew 24:43 ἂν an T would would potentially would
G302-01 Matthew 24:43 ἂν an-2 T would would potentially would
G302-01 Matthew 25:27 ἂν an T would have would potentially potentially
G302-01 Matthew 26:48 ἂν an T ever would potentially ever
G302-01 Mark 3:29 ἂν an T may would potentially may
G302-01 Mark 3:35 ἂν an T ever would potentially ever
G302-01 Mark 6:10 ἂν an T ever would potentially would potentially
G302-01 Mark 6:11 ἂν an T ever would potentially would ever
G302-01 Mark 6:56 ἂν an T ever would potentially ever
G302-01 Mark 6:56 ἂν an-2 T ever would potentially ever
G302-01 Mark 8:35 ἂν an T would potentially would
G302-01 Mark 9:1 ἂν an T they would potentially would
G302-01 Mark 9:37 ἂν an T ever would potentially ever
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