ἆρα
âra
G687 subordinating conjunction
SILEX Entry
Definition
A particle introducing a direct question, often indicating the speaker expects or assumes a negative answer; used to prompt reflection or doubt, similar to 'then' or 'for then'. It sometimes marks an inference, transition, or rhetorical shift in discourse, but specifically signals a question with an anticipated negative response in Koine Greek.
Semantic Range
interrogative particle introducing a question expecting a negative answer, logical particle marking inference or transition, marker of rhetorical question
Root / Etymology
Particle, variant spelling and pronunciation of ἄρα, adapted for interrogative use. The root ἄρα itself may be of uncertain Indo-European origin, functioning broadly as a marker of inference or consequence; ἆρα is a specialized interrogative form.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἆρα was frequently used as an interrogative particle at the beginning of questions to signal that the question expects a negative answer, contrasting with the more neutral ἄρα as a logical connector. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek (and the New Testament), ἆρα retains this interrogative sense, often translated as 'then', 'is it then the case that...?' or sometimes left untranslated. It is distinct from other interrogative particles such as εἰ or μή. English Bible translations rarely render ἆρα directly, usually structuring the sentence as a question or using word order to convey the interrogative force. Its presence may be lost in translation, but for Greek readers, it marked the nuance of questioning or doubting, often with a rhetorical expectation. The form is rare in the LXX and NT, appearing only a few times.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a form of ἄρα, denoting an interrogation to which a negative answer is presumed:--therefore.
Root Family
ἄρα (ara) — infer, conclude, deduce, draw a result
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G686 | ἄρα | therefore |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G687-01 |
ἆρα | ara | CONJ.S |
Do | therefore | then | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G687-01 |
Luke 18:8 | ἆρα | ara | CONJ.S |
will | therefore | then |
G687-01 |
Acts 8:30 | ἆρά | ara | CONJ.S |
Do | therefore | then |
G687-01 |
Galatians 2:17 | ἆρα | ara | CONJ.S |
then | therefore | then |