ἤ (ē)
ē
or
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 290 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek particle ē serves as a fundamental connector, primarily meaning "or" to present alternatives, but also functioning as "than" in comparisons. It appears frequently across the New Testament, linking words or clauses to show choice or distinction. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus uses it to clarify that He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it, setting up a clear contrast between two possible actions.
Its comparative use is equally important, appearing after comparative adjectives to introduce the standard of comparison. For instance, in John 3:19, the text states that people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil; here, ē establishes the relationship between the preferred and rejected options. It also appears in phrases like "before" (prin ē), as seen in Mark 14:30, marking a temporal boundary.
Translators must carefully distinguish these uses to preserve the logical structure of the original text. The particle’s versatility allows it to handle simple disjunctions, complex either/or constructions, and nuanced comparisons, making it essential for accurate reading of biblical arguments and narratives.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ē is often translated as "or," but it carries more weight than a simple choice between two options. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus uses it to distinguish between destroying the Law and fulfilling it. This distinction clarifies that God’s promises are not discarded but completed. When we read these passages, we see that clarity matters. God does not leave us guessing about His intentions or the boundaries of our faith.
Similarly, in Matthew 6:25, Jesus asks if life is more than food or the body more than clothing. Here, ē helps us weigh what truly sustains us. It invites us to look beyond immediate needs and trust in God’s provision. This word reminds us that our choices reflect what we value most.
Whether distinguishing between actions or comparing values, ē guides us toward understanding God’s will. It encourages careful thought rather than hasty decisions. In every instance, it points to a deeper truth about how we relate to God and others.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 290 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- or251×
- Or53×
- than45×
- rather than3×
- either3×
- nor2×
- than [for]1×
- rather1×
- and1×
- [other] than1×
- Otherwise1×
- Except1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἢ352×
- Ἢ7×
- ἤ3×
- ἢ,2×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 5:17
“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill.
Jesus uses this word to clarify that He came to fulfill the Law rather than destroy it, establishing a key theological distinction.
-
Matthew 6:25
Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
The word contrasts life with food and body with clothing, emphasizing that spiritual sustenance outweighs physical needs.
-
Matthew 10:37
He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me.
It sets up a comparison of loyalty, showing that love for Christ must surpass even the closest family ties.
-
Matthew 12:33
“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit.
This usage presents a clear either/or scenario about the nature of a tree and its fruit, illustrating how character reveals itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word ē mean?
How is ē different from other Greek words for 'or'?
Where does this word appear most frequently?
Why is understanding ē important for reading the Bible?
Every Occurrence (290 verses across 24 books)
Matthew 49 verses
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was like this: After his mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph, before they came together,…
Matthew 5:17“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill.
Matthew 5:18For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke…
Matthew 5:36Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can’t make one hair white or black.
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 6:25Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body,…
Matthew 6:31“Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’
Matthew 7:4Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye?
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 7:16By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles?
Matthew 9:5For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk’?
Matthew 10:11Into whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you go on.
Matthew 10:14Whoever doesn’t receive you or hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.
Matthew 10:15Most certainly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for…
Matthew 10:19But when they deliver you up, don’t be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you…
Matthew 10:37He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t…
Matthew 11:3and said to him, “Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?”
Matthew 11:22But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
Matthew 11:24But I tell you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment, than for you.”
Matthew 12:5Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless?
Matthew 12:25Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every…
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 12:33“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by…
Matthew 13:21yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word,…
Matthew 15:4For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to…
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 16:14They said, “Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
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 17:25He said, “Yes.” When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the…
Matthew 18:8If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into…
Matthew 18:9If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one…
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 18:16But 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 18:20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.”
Matthew 19:24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s…
Matthew 19:29Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my…
Matthew 20:15Isn’t it lawful for me to do what I want to with what I own? Or is your eye evil, because I am good?’
Matthew 21:25The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?” They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say,…
Matthew 22:17Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
Matthew 23:17You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?
Matthew 23:19You blind fools! For which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift?
Matthew 24:23“Then if any man tells you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There!’ don’t believe it.
Matthew 25:37“Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a…
Matthew 25:38When did we see you as a stranger and take you in, or naked and clothe you?
Matthew 25:39When did we see you sick or in prison and come to you?’
Matthew 25:44“Then they will also answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick,…
Matthew 26:53Or do you think that I couldn’t ask my Father, and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels?
Matthew 27:17When therefore they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or…