Strong's Lexicon alpha: Alpha Original Word: ἄλφα Word Origin: Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, derived from the Phoenician letter aleph. Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of God as the beginning and the end is echoed in the Hebrew Scriptures, though not directly linked to a specific Hebrew letter. However, the idea of God's eternal nature can be seen in passages like Isaiah 44:6, where God declares Himself as the first and the last. Usage: In the New Testament, "alpha" is used symbolically to denote the beginning or the first. It is often paired with "omega," the last letter of the Greek alphabet, to signify completeness or entirety. This usage is most prominently seen in the Book of Revelation, where God declares Himself as the "Alpha and Omega," emphasizing His eternal nature and sovereignty over all creation. Cultural and Historical Background: The Greek alphabet was widely used in the Hellenistic world and became the standard script for the New Testament writings. The use of "alpha" and "omega" as a pair to signify the beginning and the end was a familiar concept in Greek culture, symbolizing totality or completeness. This symbolism was adopted by early Christians to express the eternal and all-encompassing nature of God. HELPS Word-studies 1 A – alpha, the first letter of the Greek alphabet. 1/a (alpha) is used as a prefix (called its "privative use") and typically means "no" or "not" (= "un-," "without"). [Greek words, whose first letter (of the root) is alpha, can not take an "alpha-privative" to negate them, so the only way to express their "antithesis" is using a negative particle before them (e.g. mē, ou).] Example: There is no single word for "unforgiveness" in the NT because the first letter is already alpha ("a") – so a negative has to be used separately like, "not forgive" (ou/mē aphiēmi). "Righteousness/judge" (dikē) however does not begin in Greek with the letter "a" so unrighteousness is formed by using the prefix alpha (adikia). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfirst letter of the Greek alphabet Definition alpha, as num. 1 or 1000, as prefix (1) negative (2) copulative (3) intensive. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1: Α, ἄλφαΑ, ἄλφα, τό, the first letter of the Greek alphabet, opening the series which the letter omega ω closes. Hence, the expression ἐγώ εἰμί τό Α (L T Tr WH ἄλφα) καί τό Ω (Ὦ L WH), Revelation 1:8, 11 Rec., which is explained by the appended words ἡ ἀρχή καί τό τέλος, Revelation 21:6, and by the further addition ὁ πρῶτος καί ὁ ἔσχατος, Revelation 22:13. On the meaning of the phrase cf. Revelation 11:17; Isaiah 41:4; Isaiah 44:6; Isaiah 48:12; (especially B. D. American edition, p. 73). Α, when prefixed to words as an inseparable syllable, is: 1. privative (στερητικόν), like the Latinin-, the English un-, giving a negative sense to the word to which it is prefixed, as ἀβαρής; or signifying what is contrary to it, as ἄτιμος, ἀτιμόω; before vowels generally αν(, as in ἀναίτιος. 2. copulative (ἀθροιστικόν), akin to the particle ἅμα (cf. Curtius, § 598), indicating community and fellowship, as in ἀδελφός, ἀκόλουθος. Hence, it is: 3. intensive (ἐπιτατικόν), strengthening the force of terms, like the Latincon in composition; as ἀτενίζω from ἀτενής (yet cf. Winers Grammar, 100 (95)). This use, however, is doubted or denied now by many (e. g. Lob. Path. Element. i. 34f). Cf. Kühner, i. 741, § 339 Anm. 5; (Jelf, § 342 δ.); Alexander Buttmann (1873) Gram. § 120 Anm. 11; (Donaldson, Gram., p. 334; New Crat. §§ 185, 213; Liddell and Scott, under the word). Of Hebrew origin; the first letter of the alphabet; figuratively, only (from its use as a numeral) the first: --Alpha. Often used (usually an, before a vowel) also in composition (as a contraction from aneu) in the sense of privation; so, in many words, beginning with this letter; occasionally in the sense of union (as a contraction of hama). see GREEK aneu see GREEK hama Englishman's Concordance Revelation 1:8 NGRK: εἰμι τὸ Ἄλφα καὶ τὸ KJV: I am Alpha and Omega, INT: am the Alpha and the Revelation 1:11 Noun Revelation 21:6 N Revelation 22:13 N |
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