ἅμα (hama)
hama
together
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek adverb hama means "together" or "at the same time." It describes actions that happen in unison, emphasizing shared experience rather than just proximity. In Acts 24:26, for instance, it notes that Felix spoke with Paul frequently, suggesting a continuous, joint engagement rather than isolated meetings.
Its usage often highlights simultaneity or collective participation. In 1 Thessalonians 4:17, believers are described as being caught up together with the Lord, underscoring a communal aspect of the event. The word can also function with a preposition to mean "together with," as seen in Matthew 13:29 where weeds grow alongside wheat.
Translators typically render hama simply as "together" or "at once." Its presence in Scripture often serves to bind individuals or events into a single moment of action, reinforcing the idea of shared destiny or simultaneous occurrence within the biblical narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hama carries the simple but profound meaning of being together or at the same time. It is not just about physical proximity, but about shared experience and simultaneous action. In the life of faith, this reminds us that we do not walk alone. When Scripture speaks of believers being caught up together with the Lord, it highlights a communal destiny that binds us to Christ and to one another.
This concept of unity appears throughout the New Testament. It describes moments where actions happen in unison, such as sailors releasing anchors while untying ropes, or laborers working side by side. For your daily life, this word invites you to value connection. Whether in prayer or in suffering, the promise is that we are part of a larger story, moving forward together toward hope.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- together3×
- At the same time3×
- at the same time2×
- together [with]1×
- in [the]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἅμα10×
Key Verses
-
I Thessalonians 4:17
then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever.
This verse uses the word to describe believers being caught up simultaneously with those who have died, emphasizing our shared future with Christ.
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I Thessalonians 5:10
who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
Here it assures us that we will live together with Jesus, regardless of our state of wakefulness or sleep, highlighting constant communal union.
-
Acts 27:40
Casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same time untying the rudder ropes. Hoisting up the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach.
The sailors perform two distinct actions at the same time, illustrating how the word can mark precise simultaneity in urgent situations.
-
Romans 3:12
They have all turned away. They have together become unprofitable. There is no one who does good, no, not so much as one.”
It groups all people together in their turning away, showing how the word can emphasize collective human condition rather than individual acts.