Vocabulary

Definitions Number Verses Only Used In
3rd-Person Commands

The  phrases that begin with "let us/him/them/etc. are from the Greek third-person imperatives. In English, all imperatives are second-person commands, addressed to the one you are speaking to. In ancient Greek, the form is not only used for commands but requests. It is also used in the third person. This is transformed in most Biblical translations by changing it to a second person phrase because with "let him/them" do whatever the verb is. This distorts the form from third person to the second person making the subject of the verb an object.. This strains the meaning. It is better translated simply as "he must" plus the verb. A longer explanation here.

There are around fifty of Jesus's verses where he uses this "let" phrase. In English, all commands are the second person, given to the person addressed. However, in Greek, the imperative form, used for both commands and requests, can be "given" to an object. This is usually translated in the Bible into a second-person command beginning with "let...." followed by the command verb with the subject as its object. When we see a "let," however, we cannot assume a third-person command because a very common verb also translated as "let" in the sense of "let her alone." Adding the "let" turns the third-person command, a strong statement of desire, into a weak second-person command for something to be allowed. However, often the third-person form of the verb is disregarded entirely. This is true, for example, in the Lord's Prayer, which begins with a series of third-person commands.

There are two better approaches to translation. One is to add a helping verb "may" to the beginning of a declarative sentence. "May that name of yours be made holy. May that kingdom of yours show up." However, this makes the verb look a little-bit like a subjunctive, something that could or should happen. Perhaps the best approach is to use the helping verb "must." "The name of yours must be made holy. That kingdom of yours must show up." There is a verb in Greek that is translated in the Bible as "must," but it actually means "it is needed," so correctly translated there is no confusion between the verb and the verb form.

Abba

Ἀββά [1 verse](Hebrew word) "Abba" is abba, the Hebrew word for "father." -- "Abba" is uniquely used by Jesus here. It not a childish form of the word, but the Aramaic word used at the time to refer to "father," specifically one's own father. according to academics. The Hebrew term used in the OT is "ab," which was only used eight or nine  times to refer to God as the Father, such as in Isaiah 63:16,  Psalm 89:26. Isaiah uses the term most frequently, four times.

1
Abel

Ἅβελ [3 verses](Hebrew Name) "Abel" is from Abel, which is the Hebrew name for Adam's second son. It means "transitory" and is a metaphor for "vanity." As with most biblical names, it is not in the form of a Greek word.

3
Abiathar

Ἀβιάθαρ [1 verse](proper noun) "Abiathar" is the Greek spelling of a name. Abiathar was Ahimelech’s son. - This Abiathar is the name of the high priest in David's time written in Greek letters.

1
Abraam

Ἀβραὰμ [18 verses](Hebrew name) "Abraham" is Abraam, which is the Greek form of "Abraham." -- This is from the Greek spelling of "Abraham."

18
Accusative Case

The accusative absolute is a participle of impersonal verbs (those not having a noun or pronoun as a subject)  at the beginning of a sentence, These phrases provide more information about the relative timing of the participle and verb. The present participle is used with simultaneous actions ("during," "while"). The aorist participle is used with preceding actions ("when" and "after'").  The perfect participle indicates actions continuing from the past to the present. The future is less common, generally found after the particle ὡς (hōs) "in view of the fact that" or "on the grounds that.

An Adverbial Accusative when an accusative adjective is used to quantify (or limit) the action of a verb. An adverbial accusative may be used to express a limitation by indicating: measure, distance, the time, the manner , a reference point. "how much," "how," "when," etc. A direct object without a verb or preposition acts as an adverb describing the verb's action.

A false double accusative assumes an "is" between the two words. The  second acts a a predicate to the first, that is, something affirmed or denied.

A true double accusative has two objects to the verb. This is limited to verbs of:

  • teaching, reminding
  • clothing, anointing
  • inquiring, asking
  • other types of causative ideas
acharistos

ἀχαρίστους  [1 verse] (adj pl masc acc) "Unthankful" is  acharistos, which means "ungracious", "unpleasant", "without grace or charm", and "thankless."  - "Unthankful" is a verb that means "ungracious", "unpleasant", "without grace or charm", and "thankless."

1
achreios

ἀχρεῖον [2 verses](adj sg masc acc) "Unprofitable" is achreios, which means "useless," "unprofitable," esp. "unfit for war," "helpless," "foolish," and "without cause."

2
achri

ἄχρι " [3 verses] (prep, adv) "Until" is from achri, which means "until," "continually," "as far is," "so long as," and "as far as."  - "Until" is from another uncommon word that means "until," but unlike the more common word for "until," it also has the sense of "continually until."

3
adelphe

ἀδελφὴ [5 verses] (noun sg fem nom) "Sister" is adelphe, which means "daughter of the same mother," "kinswoman," and it a term of endearment.  - "Sister" is female forms of the word that means "kin," and generally it means "child of the same mother."

5
adelphos

ἀδελφὸς [37 verses](noun sg masc nom) "Brother" is adelphos, which means "son of the same mother," "kinsman," "colleague," "associate," and "brother." -- The word translated as "brother" means a biological brother, any kinsmen, and more broadly and friend or associate.

37
adikeo

ἀδικῶ [2 verses](verb 1st sg pres ind act) "I do...wrong" is adikeo, which, as a verb means to "be or do wrong," "injure," "harm," in games or contests, "play foul," "sin," and as a noun, "wrong doing," "a wrong," "harm" and "injury."  - "I do...wrong" is from a word that as a verb, as used here, means "to be or do wrong" "to harm," and "to injure," and as a noun means "wrongdoing," and "harm." Jesus only uses this verb twice.

2
adikia

ἀδικίας.” [5 verses](noun sg fem gen) "Of iniquity" is from adikia, which means "wrongdoing", "injustice", "a wrongful act," and "offense." -- The Greek noun translated as "of iniquity" means "wrongdoing", "injustice", "a wrongful act," and "offense." It is also an uncommon verb for Jesus to use.

5
adikos

ἀδίκους. [4 verses](adj pl masc acc) "Unjust' is adikos, which means "illegal", "unrighteous," unjust", "obstinate", "unmanageable", "unjust", "unrighteous [of things]," and "one who play unfairly. -- The Greek adjective translated as "unjust" is from an adjective that means  "illegal," unjust", "obstinate", "unmanageable", "unjust", "unrighteous [of things]," and "one who play unfairly."   In modern terms, we would say "unfair". The noun form means "injustice".  It is the negative of the Greek word usually translated as "righteous," which has the sense of "virtue."

4
adynateo

ἀδυνατήσει [1 verse](verb 2nd sg fut ind mid or, more likely, verb 3rd sg fut ind act ) "Shall be impossible" is from adynateo, which means "to be unable to do," "lack strength," and of things, "to be impossible." -- The word translated as "will be impossible" is a verb that means "to be unable to do." It is the negative form of the verb commonly translated as "can," which means  "to be able to do," "to have the power to do."  While the form of the verb could be the second person future, "you are going to be unable to do nothing," this double negative would really mean "you are going to be unable to do anything." It could also be the verb form that matches all the verb forms in the sentence, "it will be unable to do anything," with the "it" referring as it has all through the verse, to the stubborn spirit. 

1
adynatos

ἀδύνατόν [3 verses](adj sg masc/fem/neut acc) "Impossible" is adynatos, which means "unable to do a thing," "without power," "powerless," "without strength," "without skill," "(of things) impossible," and "unrealizable." As an adverb, "weakly," and "feebly."  - "Impossible" is from an adjective that means "unable to do a thing," "without power," and "powerless." Of things, it means "impossible," and "unrealizable." It comes from the negative of the word means "having power." A word that is often translated as "can" in the Greek.

3
aetos

ἀετοί. [2 verses](noun pl masc nom) "Eagles" is aetos, which means "eagle," (which was considered a bird of omen) "eagle as a standard (of the Roman legions)," and "omen."  - Eagles" is from the Greek word for "eagle," "bird of omen," or "omen." It is a Greek word, but this word was used in the Septuagint to translate the Hebrew word for "eagle" (nesher), which means both "eagle" and "vulture." Among the Jews, it was forbidden to eat eagles, along with buzzards and vultures, so they were grouped among carrion birds. Some uses of this word, such as Micah 1:16, which refers to the baldness of eagles, clearly referring to vultures, which are bald. (Bald eagles, of course, are not bald but have white feathers on their adult heads and were not known in the ancient world.) While there are positive characteristics of eagles in Jewish writing, based on their size and strength. This view of eagles in the West is positive, but this comes from Greek and Roman culture, which had a very positive view of the bird, but they also saw eagles as a bird of omen.

2
agalliao

ἀγαλλιαθῆναι [3 verses](verb aor inf pass) "To rejoice" is agalliao means "rejoice exceedingly" and is a later form of agallomai, which means to "glorify," and "exalt," especially the idea of "paying honor" to God. - -- The verb translated as "rejoiced", which literally means "much leaping" and generally, to "celebrate." Jesus uses it only three times. This word doesn't appear in non-biblically influenced Greek. It appears first in the Greek OT where it translated many different Hebrew words that mean "rejoin," "be glad," "shout," "exalt,"  and so on. This word is a version of a more common Greek word that means "glorify," and "exalt," but the Judean use of this word seems broader.

3
agapao

Ἀγαπήσεις [32 verses](2nd sg aor subj act) "Love" is agapao, which means "to care for," "to be fond of," "to greet with affection," "to persuade," "to caress," "to prize," "to desire," "to be pleased with," and "to be contended with."  This love is more associated with affection in relationships where we are obligated. Jesus uses another word. Jesus uses another word, phileô, which means "to love," "to like," "to be fond of doing," and "to show affection" to express "love" in the sense of like and dislike. He never uses the word eros, which describes romantic, sexual love. -- (CW) The word translated as "love" expresses a lot of different ideas including "to care for," "to be fond of," "to greet with affection," "to persuade," and "to be contented with." Jesus however, applies it to relationships where we have a duty to care for others: family, God, etc. Another word, also translated as "love," is used to for relationships of affectionate friendship that are more voluntary. To distinguish this word, translating it as "cares for" seems to work best. See this article on love for more information. CW - Confusing Word - This is one of two different verbs with different meanings translated as "love" so the translation confuses them.

32
agape

ἀγάπη [12 verses] (noun sg fem nom) "The love" is agape, which means "the love of a husband and wife," "love of God by man," "brotherly love," "charity," and "alms." Jesus uses it to describe the people and things that we care about or should care about. -- (CW) The noun translated as "love" expresses a lot of different ideas including "caring of spouses" "caring of God" and "charity" in the sense of giving to the poor. In the Gospels, it is usually translated as "love" or "beloved." The "love" is confusing because two different words are translated as "love,"  This word implies a sense of responsibility. The other word means enjoying one another. Translating this word as "caring" or "compassion" often works best. See this article on love for more information. CW - Confusing Word -- This "love" is one of two different Greek noun translated as "love," but they mean different things.

12
agapetos

ἀγαπητόν: [2 verses]( adj sg masc acc ) "Wellbeloved" is agapetos, which means "that with one must be content" when specifically applied to only children. In the choice of least evils, it means "to be acquiesced in." It means desirable" (of things), and "beloved" (of people) as used in the Septuagint.

2
agathopoieo

ἀγαθοποιῆσαι   [4 verses](verb aor inf act ) "Do good" is from agathopoieo, which means "to do good", "to do well", "to act rightly," and "to exert a beneficial influence." -- The verb translated as "to do good" means "to do good", "to do well", "to act rightly," and "to exert a beneficial influence." It combines the verb meaning "to make" or "to perform" with the common Greek adjective meaning "useful", "worthwhile," and "of high quality." This word only appears in the Bible and in the works a thousand years after Christ of Claudius Ptolemy. an Alexandrian mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, geographer, and music theorist. See this article on "good" and this one on "evil."

4
agathos

ἀγαθὸν [23 verses](adj sg neut nom) "Good" is agathos which means "good" and, when applied to people, "well-born," "gentle," "brave," and "capable." When applied to things, it means "serviceable," "morally good," and "beneficial." - The adjective translated as "good" means "useful," "worthwhile," and "of high quality. As a noun, the word "valuable" or "valuables" in the plural makes the idea clearer than "good" and "goods." See this article on "good" and this one on "evil."  This is not the word most often and less ambiguously translated as "good." 

23
aggareuo

ἀγγαρεύσει [1 verse] (3rd sg aor subj act) subj act) "Shall compel...to go" is from aggareuo, which means "to press into service." -- The word translated as "compel" means "to press into service." It is an uncommon word for Christ to use. In the Bible it appears only here and in the story of Simon of Cyrene so its sense if very specific.

aggeion

ἀγγείοις [1 verse] (noun pl neut dat) "Vessels" is from aggeion, which means "vessel," "pail," "bucket," sack," "receptacle," "reservoir," "coffin," and "sarcophagus."  - The word for "vessels" means any container from "receptacle," to a "sack," to a "coffin."

1
aggelos

ἀγγέλους [25 verses](noun pl masc/fem acc) "Angels" is from aggelos, (aggelos) which means "messenger" and "envoy." "Angels" is aggelos, which means "messenger" and "envoys" though it became to mean "semi-divine beings" in later use. -- (UW)  "Angels" is a noun meaning "messenger" and "envoys" though it became to mean "semi-divine beings" in later use from its use in the NT. Jesus uses this word to describe the means by which Jesus communicates to us and our thoughts. UW --Untranslated Word -- The word "angels" means "messengers." It is an untranslated Greek word adopted into English.

25
agnaphos

ἀγνάφου [2 verses](adj sg neut gen) "New" is agnaphos, which means "uncarded," "unmilled," "unfulled," "undressed," and "unprocessed." -- The word translated as "new" means "unfinished" or "unprocessed."

ago

ἀχθήσεσθε [13 verses](2nd pl fut ind pass) "Brought" is ago, which means to "lead," "carry," "bring," "fetch," "take with one," "carry of," "bear up," "remove," "lead to a point," "lead," "guide," "manage," "refer," "bring up," "train," "educate," "reduce," "draw out (in length)," "hold," "celebrate," "observe (a date)," "pass (Time)," "hold account," "treat," "draw down (in the scale)," and "weight." -- "Brought" is a Greek verb that means "to lead," "to carry," or "to fetch" and has a lot of different specific meanings in different contexts. Jesus usually uses it to mean "bring," and here the sense may be "bring it" where the "it" is implied. It is not the word commonly translated as "go." In the passive, it has the sense. "you are guided."

13
agonizomai

ἠγωνίζοντο  [2 verses](verb 3rd pl imperf ind mp) "Fight" is agonizomai, which means to "content for a prize",  "fight", "content in court", and passively, "to be decided by contest".  -- "Fight" is from a Greek verb that means to "content for a prize",  "fight", "content in court", and passively, "to be decided by contest".  It is in the imperfect past, referring to something started in the past but not completed.

2
agora

ἀγοραῖς [7 verses](noun pl fem dat) "Markets" is agora, which means "an assembly," "place of assembly," and "marketplace. "  -- The word translated as "marketplaces" means "a place of assembly." Its verb form that means "to buy in a market" and its root means "a field." 

7
agorazo

ἀγοράζει [9 verses](verb 3rd sg pres ind act) "Buy" is agorazo, which means "to occupy a marketplace," "to buy in the market," and "to buy for oneself." -- "Bought" is a verb that Jesus only uses nine times that means "to occupy a marketplace," "to buy in the market," and "to buy for oneself." Jesus always seems to use it in the sense of "buy for oneself."

9
agra

ἄγραν. [ [1 verse]](noun sg fem acc) "Draught" is from agra, which means "hunting", "the chase", "catching", "quarry" and "prey". 

1
agros

ἀγρῷ; [22 verses](noun sg masc dat) "Field" is agros, which means "field," "lands," or "country." -- "Field" is from the common noun that means "field," "lands," or "countryside."

22
agrypneo

ἀγρυπνεῖτε  [2 verses] ( verb 2nd pl imperf ind act ) "Watch ye" is from agrypneo, which means "to lie awake", "to pass sleepless night," and "to suffer from insomnia." It is described as a metaphor for being watchful. -- "Watch ye" is an uncommon word, used only in one other verse, that means "to lie awake", "to pass sleepless night," and "to suffer from insomnia." "Stay awake.

2
aichmalōtizō

αἰχμαλωτισθήσονται [1 verse]( verb 3rd pl fut ind pass ) "Shall be led away captive" is aichmalōtizō, which means to "take prisoner".

1 Luke
aichmalōtos

αἰχμαλώτοις  [1 verse]((adj pl masc dat) "Captives" is the adjective, aichmalōtosmeaning "taken by the spear", "captive", and "prisoner."  - The Greek word translated as "captives" means  "captive" and "prisoner." It is an adjective, used as a noun. When Christ does this, he usually uses an article ("the"), but the OT Septuagint does so less often because the article is not used in the original Hebrew.

1
ainos

αἶνον [1 verse](noun sg masc acc) "Praise" is ainos, which means "tale," "story," esp. "story with moral," "fable," generally, "saying," "proverb," also "praise" "decree," and "resolution."  In it from the verb, aineo, which means "tell," "speak of, "approve of," "recommends, and so "praise."  Not only does Jesus never use the verb form, but it is never uses in the New Testament. - The word is translated as "praise," is either a Greek noun that means "tale" or "story" especially stories with a moral. More generally, it means "saying" a "proverb" and it came to be a "decree" and "praise" (as in a story praising someone). It comes from the verb of approving of someone and complementing them on what they have done. It means making recommendations and advise, but ultimately accepting the decision of a superior. In the original Hebrew this word means "might," and "strength."

1
aion

αἰῶνος: [41 verses](noun sg masc gen) "Age" is aion, which means "life," "lifetime," "age," or "generation." -- (CW)"World" is a Greek word that means "lifetime," "life," "a space of time," "an age," an epoch," and "the present world." This word plays a major if misleading role in the concepts of  “forever” (see this article) and “eternal” (see this article). It is also an even larger and more misleading role in this idea of "the end of the world" (see this article.) This is word not usually translated as "world."  CW --Confusing Word -- This is word not usually translated as "world."

41
aionios

αἰώνιον. [23 verses](adj sg neut acc) "Everlasting" is aionios, which means "lasting for an age," "perpetual," and "eternal." From "aion" which is used in the bible to mean an "age." The Greek prefix a- and suffix -ios work together like our ending “less.” It appears in the Greek words for “harmless,” (akeraios), “blameless,” (anaitios), and “unprofitable” (achreios). More generally, -ios turns nouns into adjectives. So, it literally means "ageless". -- (CW) "Everlasting" is an adjective based on the word that means "age" or "eon." It has the sense of "perpetual" or "ageless." It doesn't really means "eternal or "everlasting" as we used those words today.  See this articleCW - Confusing Word -- The "eternal everlasting" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.

23
aiphnidios

ἐφνίδιος {αἰφνίδιος} [1 verse]( adj sg fem nom ) "Unawares" is aiphnidios, which means "unforeseen", and "sudden".

1 Luke
airo

ἀράτω [56 verses](verb 3rd sg aor imperat act) "Take up" is airo, which means "to lift up," "to raise," "to raise up," "to exalt," "to lift and take away," and "to remove." In some forms, it is the same as apaomai, which means to "pray to," or "pray for." -- "Shall be taken" is one of Christ's favorite "multiple meaning" words. It is a verb that means "to raise up," "elevate," "to bear," "to carry off," "to take and apply to any use," "lifted" in the sense of "removed," and "to cause to cease." Jesus uses this verb to refer to what will happen to "the son of man," which can apply either to his being raised from the dead or lifted up on the cross. The verb also came to mean "remove" in the same way we describe stealing as "shoplifting." When it means "removed" is applies that the removal is from above, that is, a higher authority."

56
aischyno

αἰσχύνομαι: [1 verse](verb 1st sg pres ind mp) "I am ashamed" is aischyno,  which means  "make ugly, "disfigure", "dishonor", "tarnish,  "to be ashamed", and "feel shame". -- "I am ashamed" is another verb Jesus only uses here. It means  "make ugly, "disfigure", "dishonor", "tarnish,  "to be ashamed", and "feel shame".

1 Luke
aiteo

αἰτοῦντί [28 verses](part sg pres act masc dat) "Ask" is from aiteo, which means "to ask for," "to request," "to demand," "to beg of," "to postulate or assume [in logic]," "to claim," and "to ask for one's own use." In passive, "to be asked" and "to have a thing begged from one." -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "ask" means "asking for" something. It might be best to translate consistently as "request" to avoid confusion with the Greek word meaning "ask a question." This word has shades of meaning from "demand" to "claim." It means to beg or even to demand something from someone else. CW --Confusing Word -- The "ask" is not the word that means "ask a question" but a word that means "request."

28
akantha

ἀκανθῶν [8 verses](noun pl fem gen) "Thorns" is akantha, which means "thorn", "prickle," or "any thorny or prickly plant." It is also a metaphor for a "thorny" question. -- The Greek words translated as "thorns" and "thistles" both mean any type of thorny plant. As in English, the term "thorny" is used as a metaphor for "difficult", "tricky," or "painful" as in "a thorny question." In Jewish tradition, thorns did not exist in the original creation but were created after humanity's fall.

8
akarpos

ἄκαρπος [4 verses] (adj sg masc nom) "Unfruitful" is from akarpos, which means "barren," "unfruitful," and is a metaphor for 'unprofitable."  - "Unfruitful" is from an adjective that means "barren," "unfruitful," and is a metaphor for 'unprofitable."

4
akatharsia

ἀκαθαρσίας: [1 vese](noun sg fem acc/gen ) "Uncleanness" is akatharsia, which means "uncleanness," "foulness," referring specifically to a wound or sore, generally, "dirt," "filth," in moral sense, "depravity," "ceremonial impurity." and literally "not cleaned.

1
akathartos

ἀκάθαρτον [3 verses](adj sg neut nom) "Unclean" is akathartos, which means "foul," "uncleansed," "ceremonially unclean" (of food}, "not sifted," "containing impurities," "not fit for cleansing," and "morally unclean." It was the term used to refer to a woman's menses.  - "Unclean" is an adjective that means "foul," "uncleansed," and "morally unclean." It was the term used to refer to a woman's menses.

akeraios

() "Harmless" is akeraios, which doesn't mean harmless at all. It means "pure", "unravaged," and "incorruptible." -- "Harmless" is translated from a Greek word, which doesn't mean harmless at all. It means "pure", "unravaged," and "incorruptibleakeraios, which doesn't mean harmless at all. It means "pure", "unravaged," and "incorruptible." -- "Harmless" is translated from a Greek word, which doesn't mean harmless at all. It means "pure", "unravaged," and "incorruptible

akmen

Ἀκμὴν [1 verse](adv) "Yet" is akmen, which as a noun means "a point," "edge," "extremity," generally, highest or culminating point of anything, therefore a "flower," one's "prime," a "zenith," esp. of man's age, generally, "strength," "vigor," "supreme effort," "culmination," "climax," of Time, "the best, most fitting time," "the nick of time," and "a critical moment."  - "Yet" is from an adverbial form of a noun which means the highest or culminating point of anything, a "zenith," esp. of man's age, generally, "supreme effort," "climax," an, of Time, "the best, most fitting time," or "a critical moment." In English, we would say "at this critical point." Jesus only uses this word once.

akoe

Ἀκοῇ [3 verses](noun sg fem dat) "Hearing" is akoe, which means "hearing," "sound heard," "thing heard," "tidings," "sense of hearing," "act of hearing," "ear," "listening to," "obedience," "a hearing," and, in plural, "place where supernatural voices are heard,"  -  - - (CW) The Greek word translated as "hearing" is the noun describing the sense of hearing, the ear, and related ideas. One of its meanings is "obedience." As we say, "That child needs to listen to me."This is important because the original Hebrew word, shama, also has this sense of obedience, though it was a verb in the form of a command, rather than a noun. This word is only use by Jesus three times. It is not the common word translated as "hear."