ἐάν (ean)
ean
if
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 319 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek conjunction ean functions as a conditional particle that introduces scenarios which are possible but not guaranteed to occur. Unlike the simpler word for "if" (ei), which often presents a fact or a definite assumption, ean signals uncertainty. It describes situations that might happen under certain circumstances, capturing the nuance of "in case" or "if it should be the case." This distinction allows biblical writers to frame conditions where the outcome depends on specific actions or events that remain open.
Etymologically, the word is a contraction of ei and an. The addition of an adds a layer of indefiniteness, shifting the focus from what is simply true to what is contingent. In the New Testament, this particle appears frequently in teachings about faith and behavior. For instance, Jesus uses it when discussing forgiveness in Matthew 6:15, linking the condition of forgiving others to God’s own response, thereby highlighting the uncertain but real possibility of receiving mercy based on human action.
Translators typically render ean as "if," though this English word can sometimes feel too absolute. The Greek term carries a sense of potentiality that is crucial for understanding conditional blessings or warnings. It appears in diverse contexts, from legal hypotheticals in Paul’s letters to the rhetorical questions in John’s Gospel. By using ean, the text invites the reader to consider the reality of choices and their consequences without asserting that those choices have already been made.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ean introduces a sense of open possibility into Scripture. It signals that certain outcomes depend on choices we make, rather than stating fixed facts. This distinction matters because it places real weight on our daily decisions and attitudes.
When Jesus speaks about forgiveness in Matthew 6:14-15, He uses this conditional form to show the link between our mercy toward others and God’s mercy toward us. It is not a threat, but an invitation to participate in the grace we receive. Your willingness to forgive opens the path for that same freedom in your own heart.
Similarly, in Matthew 8:2, the leper asks, “if you want to.” This acknowledges Jesus’ sovereign choice while expressing genuine faith. The text invites you to trust that God’s power is available, yet He respects human agency. These moments remind us that our relationship with God involves active engagement and hope.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 319 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- if170×
- If85×
- only45×
- maybe26×
- when4×
- Only4×
- if indeed3×
- might2×
- then1×
- ever1×
- even if1×
- What if1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐὰν287×
- ἐάν45×
- Ἐὰν9×
- ἐάνπερ3×
- Ἐάν1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 6:14
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
This verse links the condition of forgiving others directly to receiving God's forgiveness, highlighting the relational nature of mercy.
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Matthew 8:2
Behold, a leper came to him and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.”
The leper’s question acknowledges Jesus’ sovereign will while expressing confident faith in His power to heal.
-
Matthew 5:13
“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.
Jesus uses this condition to warn that losing one's distinctiveness as salt renders it useless, emphasizing the need for consistent witness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word ean mean?
How is ean different from ei?
Where does this word appear in the New Testament?
Every Occurrence (319 verses across 21 books)
Matthew 60 verses
He said to him, “I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me.”
Matthew 5:13“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for…
Matthew 5:19Therefore, whoever shall break one of these least commandments and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the…
Matthew 5:20For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter…
Matthew 5:23“If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you,
Matthew 5:32but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and…
Matthew 5:46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
Matthew 5:47If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
Matthew 6:14“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Matthew 6:15But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:22“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light.
Matthew 6:23But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness,…
Matthew 7:9Or who is there among you who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?
Matthew 7:10Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent?
Matthew 7:12Therefore, whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.
Matthew 8:2Behold, a leper came to him and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.”
Matthew 8:19A scribe came and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
Matthew 9:21for she said within herself, “If I just touch his garment, I will be made well.”
Matthew 10:13If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it isn’t worthy, let your peace return to you.
Matthew 11:6Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.”
Matthew 11:27All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know…
Matthew 12:11He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if this one falls into a pit on the Sabbath day,…
Matthew 12:29Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man and plunder his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? Then…
Matthew 12:32Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it…
Matthew 12:36I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
Matthew 14:7Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she should ask.
Matthew 15:5But you say, ‘Whoever may tell his father or his mother, “Whatever help you might otherwise have gotten from me is a…
Matthew 15:14Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.”
Matthew 16:19I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven;…
Matthew 16:25For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it.
Matthew 16:26For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange…
Matthew 17:20He said to them, “Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard…
Matthew 18:3and said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the…
Matthew 18:5Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me,
Matthew 18:12“What do you think? If a man has one hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine, go…
Matthew 18:13If he finds it, most certainly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone…
Matthew 18:15“If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have…
Matthew 18:16But if he doesn’t listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be…
Matthew 18:17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as…
Matthew 18:18Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you…
Matthew 18:19Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be…
Matthew 18:35So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don’t each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeeds.”
Matthew 20:4He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went their way.
Matthew 20:7“They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ “He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and you will…
Matthew 20:26It shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.
Matthew 21:3If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and immediately he will send them.”
Matthew 21:21Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you will not only do what was done…
Matthew 21:24Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what…
Matthew 21:25The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?” They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say,…
Matthew 21:26But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet.”
Matthew 22:9Go therefore to the intersections of the highways, and as many as you may find, invite to the wedding feast.’
Matthew 22:24saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up…
Matthew 23:3All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and…
Matthew 24:23“Then if any man tells you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There!’ don’t believe it.
Matthew 24:26“If therefore they tell you, ‘Behold, he is in the wilderness,’ don’t go out; or ‘Behold, he is in the inner rooms,’…
Matthew 24:28For wherever the carcass is, that is where the vultures gather together.
Matthew 24:48But if that evil servant should say in his heart, ‘My lord is delaying his coming,’
Matthew 26:13Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also…
Matthew 26:42Again, a second time he went away and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cup can’t pass away from me unless I drink…
Matthew 28:14If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him and make you free of worry.”