εἷς (ehis)
ehis
one
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 298 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word heis serves as the primary cardinal numeral for "one," functioning both as an adjective and a substantive noun. In its most basic sense, it distinguishes a single entity from many, as seen when Jesus notes that not one letter of the Law will pass away (Matthew 5:18) or when Paul describes the body of Christ having many members but remaining one unit (Romans 12:4-5). Its grammatical forms change based on gender and case, allowing it to fit naturally into the complex syntax of New Testament sentences.
Beyond simple counting, heis carries significant theological weight regarding unity. In John’s Gospel, Jesus prays that his followers may be "one" just as he and the Father are one (John 17:11), using this word to describe a spiritual bond of harmony rather than mere numerical identity. Similarly, Paul uses it to emphasize that there is one God who justifies both Jews and Gentiles (Romans 3:30). This usage highlights a shared nature or purpose among distinct persons.
The sources also note that in later Greek and certain New Testament contexts, heis can function with a weakened force, acting somewhat like an indefinite article meaning "a" or "some." For instance, it introduces characters such as "a certain man" (Luke 14:18) or "one of them" (John 6:8). This flexibility allows the word to move seamlessly from precise mathematical counting to introducing narrative details, making it a versatile tool for both logic and storytelling in Scripture.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word heis is the Greek term for "one." It appears nearly three hundred times in the New Testament. At its simplest, it counts a single item or person. Jesus uses this precision when He says that not even one smallest letter of Scripture will pass away (Matthew 5:18). This reminds us that God’s Word is trustworthy and complete. Every detail matters to Him.
Yet the word carries deeper meaning about unity. In John 17, Jesus prays that His followers may be "one" just as He and the Father are one. Here, heis describes a shared life and purpose among distinct people. It is not about losing individual identity but finding harmony in love. When we belong to Christ, we become part of this single body.
This truth offers comfort. You are never truly alone. Whether you face a small trial or a great challenge, you stand with millions of others who share this one faith. God’s plan holds us together in grace and hope.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 298 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- one265×
- One16×
- one.9×
- to one7×
- one,7×
- one;5×
- of one5×
- with one3×
- first3×
- one’2×
- one?2×
- one [thing]2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- εἷς94×
- ἓν58×
- ἕνα42×
- μίαν31×
- ἑνὸς30×
- ἑνὶ21×
- μιᾷ18×
- μία14×
- ἕν9×
- μιᾶς7×
- ἕν,5×
- Εἷς3×
Key Verses
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Matthew 5:18
For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished.
This verse uses the word to emphasize the absolute permanence and authority of every detail of Scripture.
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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 to the mountains, and seek that which has gone astray?
The shepherd’s concern for one lost sheep illustrates God’s personal care for each individual believer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word heis mean?
How is heis different from other words for one?
Why is this word important for understanding unity?
Every Occurrence (298 verses across 21 books)
Matthew 58 verses
For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke…
Matthew 5:19Therefore, whoever shall break one of these least commandments and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the…
Matthew 5:29If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you…
Matthew 5:30If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you…
Matthew 5:36Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can’t make one hair white or black.
Matthew 5:41Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
Matthew 6:24“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one…
Matthew 6:27“Which of you by being anxious, can add one moment to his lifespan?
Matthew 6:29yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these.
Matthew 8:19A scribe came and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
Matthew 9:18While he told these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but…
Matthew 10:29“Aren’t two sparrows sold for an assarion coin? Not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.
Matthew 10:42Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I…
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 13:46who having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Matthew 16:14They said, “Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
Matthew 17:4Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let’s make three tents here: one…
Matthew 18:5Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me,
Matthew 18:6but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if a huge…
Matthew 18:10See that you don’t despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of…
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 18:14Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
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 18:24When he had begun to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.
Matthew 18:28“But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him one hundred denarii, and he grabbed him…
Matthew 19:5and said, ‘For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife; and the two shall…
Matthew 19:6So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, don’t let man tear apart.”
Matthew 19:16Behold, one came to him and said, “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”
Matthew 19:17He said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life,…
Matthew 20:12saying, ‘These last have spent one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and…
Matthew 20:13“But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Didn’t you agree with me for a denarius?
Matthew 20:21He said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Command that these, my two sons, may sit, one on your right hand…
Matthew 21:19Seeing a fig tree by the road, he came to it and found nothing on it but leaves. He said to it, “Let there be no fruit…
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 22:35One of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, testing him.
Matthew 23:8But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi’, for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers.
Matthew 23:9Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven.
Matthew 23:10Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ.
Matthew 23:15Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel around by sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he…
Matthew 24:40Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and one will be left.
Matthew 24:41Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and one will be left.
Matthew 25:15To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his…
Matthew 25:18But he who received the one talent went away and dug in the earth and hid his lord’s money.
Matthew 25:24“He also who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you…
Matthew 25:40“The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,…
Matthew 25:45“Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you didn’t do it to one of the least of these,…
Matthew 26:14Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests
Matthew 26:21As they were eating, he said, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.”
Matthew 26:22They were exceedingly sorrowful, and each began to ask him, “It isn’t me, is it, Lord?”
Matthew 26:40He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What, couldn’t you watch with me for one hour?
Matthew 26:47While he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and…
Matthew 26:51Behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high…
Matthew 26:69Now Peter was sitting outside in the court, and a maid came to him, saying, “You were also with Jesus, the Galilean!”
Matthew 27:14He gave him no answer, not even one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.
Matthew 27:15Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the multitude one prisoner whom they desired.
Matthew 27:38Then there were two robbers crucified with him, one on his right hand and one on the left.
Matthew 27:48Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave him a drink.
Matthew 28:1Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see…