What does εἰμί (eimí) mean in the Bible?
Eimi is the ordinary Greek verb for being. Depending on its clause, it can express existence, identity, location, presence, relationship, or a predicate description.
Greek · G1510
εἰμί
I exist (used only when emphatic)
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εἰμί G1510
Pronunciation eimí
What does εἰμί (eimí) mean in the Bible?
Eimi is the ordinary Greek verb for being. Depending on its clause, it can express existence, identity, location, presence, relationship, or a predicate description.
Reader summary
Full entry for εἰμί (G1510) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render G1510?
The BSB source-word alignment has 2,465 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include is (501), are (207), was (166), - (98), am (73).
Where does εἰμί (eimí) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Matthew 1:18. Its strongest book concentrations include John (445), Luke (362), Matthew (289), Acts (278).
Are there verse guides for εἰμί (eimí)?
This entry includes 63 verse guides that explain exact original-language forms in context.
What This Word Actually Means
Eimi is the ordinary Greek verb for being. Depending on its clause, it can express existence, identity, location, presence, relationship, or a predicate description. Its frequency does not make every occurrence mysterious. “The Word was God” in John 1:1, “before Abraham was born, I am” in John 8:58, “I am the way” in John 14:6, and “I am with you always” in Matthew 28:20 all use being language, but their claims differ because their predicates, time references, speakers, and contexts differ.
Eimi serves some of the New Testament’s highest Christological declarations, yet the verb alone does not prove deity. Faithful teaching parses the clause, identifies what is affirmed, and lets the passage establish the theological weight.
How the Bible Uses It
Eimi expresses being across ordinary and theologically weighty clauses. It may identify, describe, locate, assert existence, or promise presence, with the predicate and context determining the claim.
- John.1.1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The being verb links the Word with God and states what the Word was. The clause, not the verb by itself, carries the high Christological claim.
- John.8.58
“Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!”
Jesus' saying carries unusual temporal and identity weight. The context supplies the force; the verb must not be isolated from the claim.
- John.14.6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Jesus identifies Himself as the way, truth, and life. The verb connects the subject to the predicate nominatives.
- Matt.28.20
And teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Jesus promises His continuing presence with His disciples. The being verb supports presence language in the Great Commission.
- John.10.30
I and the Father are one.”
The plural being form supports the statement of unity between Jesus and the Father.
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders It is 501× Matthew 1:20, Matthew 2:2, Matthew 3:3, Matthew 3:17
are 207× Matthew 2:6, Matthew 5:13, Matthew 5:14, Matthew 6:22
was 166× Matthew 1:19, Matthew 2:9, Matthew 3:4, Matthew 7:27
- 98× Matthew 7:9, Matthew 7:13, Matthew 7:14, Matthew 12:11
am 73× Matthew 8:9, Matthew 16:15, Matthew 20:15, Matthew 22:32
It is 72× Matthew 3:15, Matthew 5:34, Matthew 5:35, Matthew 10:13
will be 71× Matthew 5:21, Matthew 5:22, Matthew 6:21, Matthew 6:22
were 63× Matthew 14:21, Matthew 15:38, Matthew 22:8, Matthew 25:2
vvv 59× Matthew 5:25, Matthew 18:20, Matthew 26:66, Mark 1:22
You are 50× Matthew 4:3, Matthew 4:6, Matthew 14:33, Matthew 16:23
there is 47× Matthew 10:26, Matthew 19:17, Matthew 22:23, Matthew 24:28
I am 46× Matthew 3:11, Matthew 8:8, Matthew 11:29, Matthew 27:24
. . . 45× Matthew 13:32, Matthew 13:38, Matthew 21:25, Matthew 26:68
He is 40× Matthew 22:32, Matthew 24:26, Matthew 24:33, Matthew 27:42
to be 33× Matthew 17:4, Matthew 19:21, Matthew 20:27, Mark 9:5
He was 32× Matthew 14:23, Mark 1:13, Mark 2:1, Mark 6:55
they are 31× Matthew 2:18, Matthew 7:15, Matthew 11:16, Matthew 15:14
it was 30× Mark 10:47, Mark 11:13, Mark 15:25, Mark 15:42
we are 24× Mark 5:9, Luke 9:12, Luke 17:10, John 8:33
Be 22× Matthew 5:48, Mark 5:34, Luke 12:35, Luke 14:26
There was 20× Matthew 21:33, Luke 2:7, Luke 2:25, Luke 2:36
are you 18× Matthew 5:11, Matthew 8:26, Matthew 16:17, Matthew 20:15
they were 18× Matthew 4:18, Matthew 9:36, Mark 1:16, Mark 6:34
there are 17× Matthew 19:12, Mark 7:4, Mark 9:1, Luke 13:14
there were 17× Matthew 22:25, Mark 2:15, Mark 4:36, Mark 6:44
You will be 15× Matthew 10:22, Matthew 24:9, Mark 13:13, Luke 1:20
may be 13× Matthew 6:4, John 14:3, John 15:11, John 16:24
had been 12× Mark 6:52, Mark 15:46, Luke 8:2, John 2:6
I was 12× Matthew 25:35, Matthew 25:36, Matthew 25:43, Mark 14:49
There will be 12× Matthew 24:7, Matthew 24:21, Mark 13:8, Luke 21:11
you were 12× John 8:39, John 9:41, John 15:19, John 21:18
will 10× Mark 13:25, Luke 1:33, Luke 16:10, John 11:4
am [He] 9× Mark 13:6, Luke 21:8, John 4:26, John 8:24
had 9× Luke 1:7, Luke 2:26, Luke 4:32, Luke 5:17
it will be 8× Matthew 10:15, Matthew 11:22, Matthew 11:24, Luke 10:12
would be 8× Matthew 27:64, Luke 9:46, Acts 7:6, Romans 4:13
means 7× Matthew 1:23, Matthew 27:33, Matthew 27:46, Mark 7:34
are they 6× Luke 7:31, 2 Corinthians 11:22, 2 Corinthians 11:23, Revelation 7:13
Aren’t 6× Matthew 13:56, Mark 6:3, John 7:52, John 18:17
as 6× Mark 14:64, Romans 14:14, Ephesians 2:20, Philippians 3:8
belongs 6× Matthew 19:14, Mark 10:14, Luke 18:16, Luke 22:53
Isn’t 6× Matthew 13:55, Mark 6:3, Luke 4:22, John 7:25
must be 6× Matthew 20:26, Matthew 20:27, Mark 10:43, Mark 10:44
we were 6× Acts 20:8, Romans 5:6, Galatians 4:3, Ephesians 2:3
who was 6× Luke 22:3, John 11:49, John 18:13, John 19:38
will it be 6× Matthew 12:45, Matthew 13:40, Matthew 13:49, Matthew 24:37
You have been 6× Matthew 25:21, Matthew 25:23, John 15:27, Ephesians 2:5
[Jesus] was 5× Luke 11:14, Luke 13:10, Luke 19:47, Luke 23:7
have 5× Luke 12:24, Acts 8:21, Romans 9:2, 1 Corinthians 9:16
He 5× Matthew 7:29, Matthew 19:22, Mark 5:5, Luke 14:31
she is 5× Luke 7:39, Romans 7:3, 1 Corinthians 7:36, 1 Corinthians 7:39
come 4× John 1:46, John 4:23, 1 Corinthians 7:5, 1 Peter 3:3
comes 4× Matthew 5:37, John 17:7, 1 John 2:21, 1 John 4:7
happen 4× Matthew 16:22, Matthew 24:3, Mark 13:4, Luke 21:7
has 4× Luke 23:15, John 5:25, John 11:10, Hebrews 3:12
I will be 4× 2 Corinthians 6:16, 2 Corinthians 6:18, Hebrews 8:10, Revelation 21:7
Is it 4× John 10:34, John 13:25, Acts 10:4, 1 Corinthians 11:13
they will be 4× Matthew 22:30, Mark 12:25, 1 Timothy 5:7, Revelation 20:6
This is 4× Mark 12:29, Mark 12:33, John 1:30, John 5:10
will become 4× Matthew 19:5, Mark 10:8, 1 Corinthians 6:16, Ephesians 5:31
you 4× Luke 19:17, Romans 2:1, Romans 2:25, 2 Corinthians 13:5
[and] 3× 2 Corinthians 2:9, Ephesians 4:18, Titus 3:1
[have] 3× Matthew 23:8, Matthew 23:9, Matthew 23:10
[it] is 3× Matthew 14:28, Matthew 19:24, Mark 6:50
am I 3× Matthew 18:20, 1 Corinthians 9:1
are like 3× Mark 4:15, Mark 4:18, Mark 4:20
belongs to 3× John 8:47, John 18:37, 2 Corinthians 10:7
can He be 3× Matthew 22:45, Mark 12:37, Luke 20:44
He will be 3× Luke 1:14, Luke 1:15, 2 Timothy 2:21
is [a call for] 3× Revelation 13:10, Revelation 13:18, Revelation 14:12
is He 3× Matthew 22:42, John 1:15, John 9:36
is that 3× Luke 6:32, Luke 6:33, Luke 6:34
let him be 3× 1 Corinthians 16:22, Galatians 1:8, Galatians 1:9
must I remain 3× Matthew 17:17, Mark 9:19, Luke 9:41
she was 3× Mark 5:42, Mark 7:26, Luke 13:11
That is 3× Luke 22:38, Ephesians 4:18, Ephesians 4:21
They 3× Acts 2:42, Romans 15:27, Galatians 1:23
they may be 3× John 17:11, John 17:22, John 17:23
who are 3× Matthew 7:11, Matthew 12:34, John 10:33
you may be 3× 1 Corinthians 1:10, 1 Corinthians 5:7, James 1:4
[And] is 2× 1 Corinthians 10:16, 1 Peter 3:22
[and] to be 2× 1 Timothy 6:18, Titus 3:2
[does] 2× Ephesians 4:9, James 3:15
[follow] 2× 1 Corinthians 1:12, 1 Corinthians 3:4
[God] is 2× Mark 12:32, 1 Corinthians 14:33
are {from} 2× Luke 13:25, Luke 13:27
are found 2× Matthew 11:8, Luke 7:25
belong 2× Acts 27:23, Romans 8:9
belong to 2× John 8:44, 1 Thessalonians 5:8
belonging 2× Luke 5:3, Acts 9:2
does not consist 2× Luke 12:15, 1 Corinthians 12:14
exist 2× Romans 4:17, Romans 13:1
existed 2× John 17:5, 2 Peter 3:5
has been 2× Luke 14:8, John 3:21
have been 2× Acts 24:10, 1 Thessalonians 4:9
He is {from} 2× John 7:27, John 9:30
he stayed 2× Matthew 2:15, Mark 1:45
I do 2× 1 Corinthians 12:15, 1 Corinthians 12:16
I would not be 2× 2 Corinthians 12:6, Galatians 1:10
is {from} 2× John 7:27, John 9:29
it means 2× Matthew 23:16, Matthew 23:18
It shall not be 2× Matthew 20:26, Mark 10:43
it were 2× Mark 14:35, John 19:11
it will not be 2× Matthew 10:20, Mark 13:11
It would be 2× Matthew 26:24, Mark 9:42
leads to 2× John 12:50, Ephesians 5:18
represent 2× Galatians 4:24, Revelation 5:6
some who are 2× Luke 13:30
there 2× Acts 21:24, Hebrews 7:23
there may be 2× Mark 14:2, 1 Corinthians 1:10
they had 2× Acts 14:26, Acts 21:29
to 2× 2 Corinthians 5:9, Titus 2:4
was it 2× Mark 11:30, Luke 20:4
was there 2× Luke 5:29, Acts 8:1
we 2× Hebrews 4:2, Hebrews 10:10
we belong to 2× Romans 14:8, 1 John 3:19
we will be 2× 1 John 3:2
when he is 2× John 3:4, Galatians 6:3
which is [here] 2× Matthew 6:30, Luke 12:28
while I was 2× Luke 24:44, 2 Thessalonians 2:5
who had suffered 2× Mark 5:25, Luke 8:43
will come 2× Mark 13:33, 2 Timothy 4:3
will she be 2× Matthew 22:28, Mark 12:23
will there be 2× Matthew 19:27, Revelation 22:3
would 2× 1 Corinthians 12:15, 1 Corinthians 12:16
You had been 2× John 11:21, John 11:32
([though I] am 1× 1 Corinthians 9:21
[ and all its dimensions ] were 1× Revelation 21:16
[ this point ] is 1× Hebrews 7:15
[although] he is 1× Galatians 4:1
[and who himself] was 1× John 7:50
[and] absorbed 1× 1 Timothy 4:15
[and] may be 1× Romans 4:16
[and] was expecting 1× Luke 2:5
[as well as] 1× Mark 13:8
[as] 1× John 11:51
[Barnabas] was 1× Acts 11:24
[but] they are 1× Colossians 2:23
[Christ] is 1× Hebrews 9:15
[even though] he did not yet have 1× Acts 7:5
[even though] he was 1× Galatians 2:3
[everything] is 1× Luke 14:17
[God] was 1× Romans 4:21
[had] 1× Acts 7:44
[He] was 1× Mark 6:49
[Herod] was 1× Acts 12:20
[himself] 1× 1 Corinthians 14:37
[into the] 1× John 13:30
[into] being 1× Romans 4:17
[Jesus] 1× Luke 21:37
[Levi] was 1× Hebrews 7:10
[now] I am 1× Revelation 1:18
[Now] there were 1× Mark 12:20
[One] 1× Matthew 3:11
[Paul and Silas] were 1× Acts 16:38
[Paul] was 1× Acts 23:34
[people] were 1× Matthew 24:38
[Saul] stayed 1× Acts 9:28
[shall I do] 1× 1 Corinthians 14:15
[shall we say] 1× 1 Corinthians 14:26
[the authorities] are 1× Romans 13:6
[the believers gathered together] 1× Acts 5:12
[the Holy Spirit] had 1× Acts 8:16
[the man] had been 1× John 9:18
[their] 1× Acts 4:31
[then] let this be 1× Acts 4:10
[there] was 1× Acts 7:12
[these things] are 1× Titus 3:9
[These] are 1× Revelation 16:14
[this gospel] is 1× Colossians 1:6
[This man] is 1× Luke 7:4
[this] 1× Acts 12:3
[though] 1× 2 Peter 2:11
[though] He was 1× 2 Corinthians 8:9
[Was it after] 1× Romans 4:10
[when] we were 1× 2 Peter 1:18
[which] is 1× 1 John 4:3
[while] we are 1× 2 Corinthians 5:4
[who] are 1× Philippians 3:3
[who] belonged to 1× 1 John 3:12
[who] is 1× 1 Corinthians 6:19
[whose temple] was 1× Acts 14:13
[will get] 1× John 19:24
[would share] 1× 2 Corinthians 2:3
[you] will be 1× Luke 11:36
accompany 1× Mark 3:14
Although they are 1× James 3:4
am [the one] 1× John 9:9
amounted to 1× Mark 12:42
appear 1× 2 Corinthians 13:7
are [only] 1× Acts 14:15
are available 1× Acts 19:38
Are there 1× John 11:9
are to be 1× Titus 2:2
Are we 1× 1 Corinthians 10:22
as they 1× Revelation 16:6
be [filled] 1× Acts 27:10
Be that as it may 1× 2 Corinthians 12:16
became 1× Mark 8:1
because he was going there 1× Acts 20:13
become 1× Luke 1:66
becomes 1× Ephesians 5:13
been 1× John 3:24
belonged 1× Acts 5:17
belonged to 1× 1 John 2:19
came about 1× Matthew 1:18
can this be 1× Luke 1:34
care very little 1× 1 Corinthians 4:3
consisting 1× Revelation 21:21
consists 1× 1 John 4:10
contains 1× 2 Timothy 2:20
could be 1× Luke 3:15
could have been attained 1× Hebrews 7:11
Could this be 1× Matthew 12:23
crowded 1× Mark 4:1
did not come 1× 1 Corinthians 11:8
Do 1× Matthew 15:16
do not be 1× Matthew 6:5
does 1× Acts 10:34
does not show 1× Romans 2:11
during 1× Acts 12:3
exists 1× Acts 4:12
for 1× 2 Corinthians 11:16
form 1× 1 Corinthians 12:12
frequently 1× Luke 5:16
go 1× Mark 5:18
had already become 1× Acts 27:9
had yet 1× Luke 23:53
had yet been 1× John 19:41
has done 1× Acts 25:5
have come 1× Galatians 3:21
have our being 1× Acts 17:28
He began 1× Luke 4:31
he can 1× Titus 1:9
He continued 1× Luke 4:44
He exists 1× Hebrews 11:6
he had 1× Mark 10:22
He had been 1× Luke 4:16
he had removed it 1× John 21:7
he has been 1× Philippians 2:26
he just looks 1× John 9:9
he lived 1× Luke 1:80
he may be 1× Galatians 5:10
he must be 1× Mark 9:35
he remains 1× Matthew 13:21
he stood 1× Galatians 2:11
he too is 1× Luke 22:59
He was already 1× Mark 4:36
He were 1× Hebrews 8:4
He would not be 1× Hebrews 8:4
I [am] 1× Acts 20:26
I [live] 1× 2 Peter 1:13
I am {from} 1× John 7:28
I am present 1× Colossians 2:5
I have 1× Acts 18:10
I have been 1× John 14:9
I was [staying] 1× Acts 11:11
I will 1× Hebrews 8:12
I will no longer be 1× John 17:11
I would be 1× John 8:55
if they are 1× 1 Timothy 3:10
is [still] 1× Hebrews 5:13
is [the essence of] 1× Matthew 7:12
is [the one] 1× Matthew 11:10
is going to 1× John 21:20
is the meaning 1× Luke 8:11
is the one 1× Luke 7:27
It has already been 1× John 11:39
it meant 1× Mark 9:10
It must be 1× Acts 12:15
It read 1× John 19:19
it was {from} 1× John 2:9
It was now 1× Luke 23:44
it will all be 1× Luke 4:7
it will be done 1× Mark 11:23
it will happen 1× Acts 27:25
It will happen that 1× Romans 9:26
It would have been 1× 2 Peter 2:21
It’s 1× Matthew 14:26
kept 1× Luke 1:22
let 1× Matthew 5:37
let it be 1× Acts 13:38
let there be 1× Acts 1:20
let this be 1× Acts 2:14
lived 1× John 7:42
may have 1× Revelation 22:14
mean 1× Acts 2:12
meaning 1× Mark 3:17
means [that] 1× 1 Corinthians 6:7
meant 1× Luke 8:9
might be 1× Luke 1:29
of them were 1× Luke 1:6
of us 1× 2 Corinthians 1:14
of you 1× John 13:11
our 1× 1 Corinthians 15:19
perish 1× Acts 8:20
regard [him] 1× Matthew 18:17
rely on 1× Galatians 3:10
remain 1× Hebrews 1:12
shall be 1× Matthew 23:11
shall be made 1× Luke 3:5
she can be 1× 1 Corinthians 7:34
she is to remain 1× 1 Timothy 2:12
should [we do] 1× Acts 21:22
should be 1× James 1:19
should live 1× 1 Corinthians 7:29
sided 1× Acts 14:4
since there are already 1× Hebrews 8:4
since they are 1× Luke 20:36
since you are 1× 2 Corinthians 11:19
standing 1× John 8:9
stands for 1× Galatians 4:25
Stay 1× Matthew 2:13
stood 1× Colossians 2:14
Surely 1× Matthew 26:25
Surely not 1× Matthew 26:22
sweep 1× Acts 11:28
that dwells 1× Romans 7:23
the meaning 1× Acts 10:17
the meaning of 1× Matthew 12:7
there should be 1× 1 Corinthians 12:25
there will be [more] 1× Luke 15:7
these are 1× Mark 7:15
they continued 1× Acts 14:7
they did not belong 1× 1 John 2:19
they exist 1× Revelation 4:11
they had all been 1× Luke 8:40
they had been 1× Luke 23:12
they had belonged 1× 1 John 2:19
they remain 1× Mark 4:17
they shared 1× Acts 4:32
they will all be 1× John 6:45
they will not be 1× Titus 3:14
this happened 1× John 5:9
this matter involved 1× Acts 18:14
this means 1× Matthew 9:13
those present 1× Mark 14:4
though you once were 1× Romans 6:17
throughout 1× 2 Corinthians 1:1
to be [known] 1× John 7:4
to bring 1× Acts 13:47
to find 1× Acts 16:13
to go 1× Luke 8:38
to remain 1× 1 Corinthians 7:26
was [posted] 1× Luke 23:38
was [present] 1× Luke 5:17
was [using] 1× Revelation 21:17
was about to happen 1× Luke 22:49
we [lived] 1× Romans 7:5
we are all 1× Ephesians 4:25
we do not belong 1× 1 Thessalonians 5:5
we had lived 1× Matthew 23:30
we have 1× Romans 8:12
we who are 1× Romans 12:5
we will 1× 1 Thessalonians 4:17
we will certainly also be [united with Him] 1× Romans 6:5
we would not 1× 2 Corinthians 1:9
we would not have been 1× Matthew 23:30
were [ present ] 1× Mark 8:9
were [together] 1× John 20:19
were often 1× Mark 2:18
what he [looks] like 1× James 1:24
when there is 1× Romans 5:13
when we were 1× Romans 5:10
while He was 1× Luke 24:6
while he was [still] 1× Acts 7:2
while it was 1× John 20:1
while she was still 1× Acts 9:39
who belongs to 1× Revelation 17:11
who is 1× Ephesians 2:4
who live 1× Romans 8:5
who were 1× Acts 19:31
will appear 1× Romans 15:12
will be [a sign] 1× Luke 11:30
will correspond to 1× 2 Corinthians 11:15
will have 1× Romans 9:9
will not be 1× Philemon 1:14
will not experience 1× Acts 27:22
will own 1× Luke 12:20
with 1× John 21:11
would not rest 1× 1 Corinthians 2:5
you {so} occupy 1× 2 Corinthians 7:3
you are still 1× Matthew 5:25
you bear 1× Mark 9:41
you do 1× John 8:47
you do not experience 1× Hebrews 12:8
you have 1× Acts 13:15
you may 1× 1 Peter 1:6
you may have 1× Ephesians 6:3
you really are 1× 1 Corinthians 5:7
you too are 1× Mark 14:70
you will 1× Luke 5:10
You will [ just ] be 1× 1 Corinthians 14:9
you will not be 1× Romans 11:25
you yourselves are 1× 1 Corinthians 3:16
Show sample aligned rows
Matthew 1:18 ἦν to came about Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Matthew 1:19 ὢν to was Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Matthew 1:20 ἐστιν to is Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Matthew 1:23 ἐστιν to means Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Matthew 2:2 ἐστιν to is Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Matthew 2:6 εἶ to are Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular Matthew 2:9 ἦν to was Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Matthew 2:13 ἴσθι to Stay Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular Matthew 2:15 ἦν to he stayed Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Matthew 2:18 εἰσίν to they are Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row Matthew 1:18
Aligned rows 2,465
Books represented 27
Matthew 289 Mark 192 Luke 362 John 445 Acts 278 Romans 113 1 Corinthians 162 2 Corinthians 62 Galatians 53 Ephesians 48 Philippians 17 Colossians 26 1 Thessalonians 12 2 Thessalonians 7 1 Timothy 29 2 Timothy 16 Titus 16 Philemon 3 Hebrews 55 James 32 1 Peter 13 2 Peter 13 1 John 99 2 John 6 3 John 2 Jude 4 Revelation 111
Source forms
ἐστιν 570x estin Matthew 1:20, Matthew 1:23, Matthew 2:2, Matthew 3:3
ἦν 292x ēn Matthew 1:18, Matthew 2:9, Matthew 2:15, Matthew 3:4
ἔστιν 141x estin Matthew 10:24, Matthew 10:37, Matthew 10:38, Matthew 13:57
εἶναι 114x einai Matthew 16:13, Matthew 16:15, Matthew 17:4, Matthew 19:21
ἔσται 113x estai Matthew 5:21, Matthew 5:22, Matthew 6:21, Matthew 6:22
ἐστὶν 110x estin Matthew 3:15, Matthew 5:34, Matthew 5:35, Matthew 11:16
εἰμι 96x eimi Matthew 8:9, Matthew 11:29, Matthew 14:27, Matthew 18:20
εἶ 92x ei Matthew 2:6, Matthew 4:3, Matthew 4:6, Matthew 5:25
Parsing patterns
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular 898x Matthew 1:20, Matthew 1:23, Matthew 2:2, Matthew 3:3
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular 315x Matthew 1:18, Matthew 2:9, Matthew 2:15, Matthew 3:4
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural 157x Matthew 2:18, Matthew 7:13, Matthew 7:14, Matthew 7:15
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular 140x Matthew 3:11, Matthew 8:8, Matthew 8:9, Matthew 11:29
Verb - Present Infinitive Active 124x Matthew 16:13, Matthew 16:15, Matthew 17:4, Matthew 19:21
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular 118x Matthew 5:21, Matthew 5:22, Matthew 6:21, Matthew 6:22
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural 95x Matthew 4:18, Matthew 9:36, Matthew 14:21, Matthew 15:38
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural 93x Matthew 5:11, Matthew 5:13, Matthew 5:14, Matthew 8:26
Using This Word Well
Be careful not to...
- Read the whole being clause and identify exactly what it affirms before moving to doctrine or application.
- Give marked Christological sayings their full weight without treating ordinary eimi clauses as identical formulas.
Avoid claiming...
- Do not claim that every Greek “I am” is a direct quotation of the divine name.
- Do not claim that eimi alone establishes the theology of a passage.
Key Verse and Form Guides
Verse-level guides showing how this original-language form works in its specific context, including grammar, verse function, and guarded interpretation.
Colossians 1:15 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
ἐστιν estin I exist (used only when emphatic) The verb makes the clause read as a direct identification: the one spoken of is the image of the invisible God. Read verse guide Colossians 1:17 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
ἐστι estin I exist (used only when emphatic) The grammar makes the statement direct, singular, and present, so the clause reads as a current assertion about the subject rather than a vague or impersonal remark. Read verse guide Colossians 1:18 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
ἐστιν estin I exist (used only when emphatic) The form presents a direct present claim: Christ is now the head of the body, the church. Read verse guide Colossians 2:10 Verb Second Person Plural Present Active Indicative
ἐστε este I exist (used only when emphatic) The form gives the statement a direct, present, communal force, helping the verse communicate settled identity rather than a distant possibility. Read verse guide Colossians 2:10 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
ἐστιν estin I exist (used only when emphatic) The form helps the verse read as an assertion of identity and description, not as a separate action report. Read verse guide Colossians 2:13 Verb Present Active Participle Accusative Plural Masculine
ὄντας ontas I exist (used only when emphatic) The participle strengthens the portrait of a prior state, so the verse reads as an act of divine rescue from a condition already true of the readers. Read verse guide Colossians 2:14 Verb Third Person Singular Imperfect Active Indicative
ἦν en I exist (used only when emphatic) It frames the handwritten bond as having been in an adverse state toward us, which supports the verse's picture of removal and cancellation. Read verse guide Colossians 3:1 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
ἐστιν estin I exist (used only when emphatic) The form strengthens the verse's present, factual tone and helps connect the ethical exhortation to Christ's present exalted position. Read verse guide John 1:1 Verb Third Person Singular Imperfect Active Indicative
ἦν en I exist (used only when emphatic) This form helps the reader hear the clause as describing the Word's prior being, not as introducing a new event or action. Read verse guide John 1:2 Verb Third Person Singular Imperfect Active Indicative
ἦν en I exist (used only when emphatic) The form supports a simple, background statement of being, helping the verse read as description rather than event narrative. Read verse guide John 1:4 Verb Third Person Singular Imperfect Active Indicative
ἦν, en I exist (used only when emphatic) The form supports a reading of continuing presence or being, which strengthens the verse's calm declarative tone. Read verse guide John 1:8 Verb Third Person Singular Imperfect Active Indicative
ἦν en I exist (used only when emphatic) The form gives the verse a clear past-tense denial of identity and keeps the focus on witness rather than self-designation. Read verse guide Show 51 more verse guides
John 1:9 Verb Third Person Singular Imperfect Active Indicative
ἦν en I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide John 1:10 Verb Third Person Singular Imperfect Active Indicative
ἦν, en I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide John 1:15 Verb Third Person Singular Imperfect Active Indicative
ἦν en I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide John 1:18 Verb Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine
ὢν on I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide John 1:19 Verb Second Person Singular Present Active Indicative
εἶ; ei I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide John 1:19 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
ἐστὶν estin I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide John 1:20 Verb First Person Singular Present Active Indicative
εἰμὶ eimi I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide John 1:21 Verb First Person Singular Present Active Indicative
εἰμί. eimi I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide John 1:21 Verb Second Person Singular Present Active Indicative
εἶ ei I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide John 1:22 Verb Second Person Singular Present Active Indicative
εἶ; ei I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide John 1:24 Verb Third Person Plural Imperfect Active Indicative
ἦσαν esan I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide John 1:25 Verb Second Person Singular Present Active Indicative
εἶ ei I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide John 1:27 Verb First Person Singular Present Active Indicative
εἰμὶ eimi I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide John 1:27 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
ἐστιν estin I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide John 1:28 Verb Third Person Singular Imperfect Active Indicative
ἦν en I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide John 1:30 Verb Third Person Singular Imperfect Active Indicative
ἦν. en I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide John 1:30 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
ἐστι estin I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide John 1:33 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
ἐστιν estin I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide John 1:34 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
ἐστιν estin I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide John 1:39 Verb Third Person Singular Imperfect Active Indicative
ἦν en I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide John 1:40 Verb Third Person Singular Imperfect Active Indicative
ἦν en I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide John 1:41 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
ἐστι estin I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide John 1:42 Verb Second Person Singular Present Active Indicative
εἶ ei I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide John 1:44 Verb Third Person Singular Imperfect Active Indicative
ἦν en I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide John 1:46 Verb Present Active Infinitive
εἶναι; einai I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide John 1:47 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
ἔστι. estin I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide John 1:48 Verb Present Active Participle Accusative Singular Masculine
ὄντα onta I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide John 1:49 Verb Second Person Singular Present Active Indicative
εἶ ei I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide Matthew 1:18 Verb Third Person Singular Imperfect Active Indicative
ἦν. en I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide Matthew 1:19 Verb Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine
ὤν, on I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide Matthew 1:20 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
ἐστιν estin I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide Matthew 1:23 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
ἐστι estin I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide Matthew 5:13 Verb Second Person Plural Present Active Indicative
ἐστε este I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide Revelation 22:3 Verb Third Person Singular Future Middle Deponent Indicative
ἔσται estai I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide Revelation 22:5 Verb Third Person Singular Future Middle Deponent Indicative
ἔσται estai I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide Revelation 22:9 Verb First Person Singular Present Active Indicative
εἰμι, eimi I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide Revelation 22:10 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
ἐστιν. estin I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide Revelation 22:12 Verb Third Person Singular Future Middle Deponent Indicative
ἔσται. estai I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide Revelation 22:13 Verb First Person Singular Present Active Indicative
εἰμι eimi I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide Revelation 22:14 Verb Third Person Singular Future Middle Deponent Indicative
ἔσται estai I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide Revelation 22:16 Verb First Person Singular Present Active Indicative
εἰμι eimi I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide Romans 3:8 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
ἐστι. estin I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide Romans 3:9 Verb Present Active Infinitive
εἶναι, einai I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide Romans 3:10 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
ἔστι estin I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide Romans 3:11 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
ἔστιν estin I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide Romans 3:12 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
ἔστι estin I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide Romans 3:18 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
ἔστι estin I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide Romans 3:22 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
ἐστι estin I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide Romans 3:26 Verb Present Active Infinitive
εἶναι einai I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide Romans 5:8 Verb Present Active Participle Genitive Plural Masculine
ὄντων onton I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide Romans 8:28 Verb Present Active Participle Dative Plural Masculine
οὖσιν. ousin I exist (used only when emphatic) Read verse guide Evidence Summary
Greek word. I exist (used only when emphatic)
Source Gloss
I exist (used only when emphatic)
Greek Text Appearances
Textus Receptus witness, full corpus Greek token appearances from Scrivener 1894 Textus Receptus in the full New Testament corpus.
16 of 2,516 Greek text appearances shown. Linked morphology labels have verse guides.
hn
I am, exist
Read verse wn
I am, exist
Read verse estin
I am, exist
Read verse estin
I am, exist
Read verse Matthew 2:2 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
ἐστὶν estin
I am, exist
Read verse Matthew 2:6 Verb Second Person Singular Present Active Indicative
εἶ ei
I am, exist
Read verse Matthew 2:9 Verb Third Person Singular Imperfect Active Indicative
ἦν hn
I am, exist
Read verse Matthew 2:13 Verb Second Person Singular Present Active Imperative
ἴσθι isqi
I am, exist
Read verse Matthew 2:15 Verb Third Person Singular Imperfect Active Indicative
ἦν hn
I am, exist
Read verse Matthew 2:18 Verb Third Person Plural Present Active Indicative
εἰσί. eisin
I am, exist
Read verse Matthew 3:3 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
ἐστιν estin
I am, exist
Read verse Matthew 3:4 Verb Third Person Singular Imperfect Active Indicative
ἦν hn
I am, exist
Read verse Matthew 3:11 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
ἐστίν, estin
I am, exist
Read verse Matthew 3:11 Verb First Person Singular Present Active Indicative
εἰμὶ eimi
I am, exist
Read verse Matthew 3:15 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
ἐστὶν estin
I am, exist
Read verse Matthew 3:17 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
ἐστιν estin
I am, exist
Read verseFull New Testament corpus: 260 chapters, 7,957 verses, 140,628 tokens. Data source: honza/textus-receptus (data only), with authority check against byztxt/greektext-textus-receptus.
Grammatical Forms
How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups 6 Aligned forms 2456 Tenses Present, Imperfect, Future Voices Active, Middle
Tenses
Voices
Indicative states a fact or reality 2068×
Present Active Matt 1:20 · Matt 1:23 · Matt 2:2 · Matt 3:3 · Matt 3:11 · Matt 3:15 · Matt 3:17 · Matt 5:3 · Matt 5:10 · Matt 5:34 · Matt 5:35 · Matt 5:37 · Matt 5:48 · Matt 6:21 · Matt 6:22 · Matt 6:23 1427×
Imperfect Active Matt 1:18 · Matt 2:9 · Matt 2:15 · Matt 3:4 · Matt 7:27 · Matt 7:29 · Matt 8:30 · Matt 12:4 · Matt 12:40 · Matt 14:23 · Matt 14:24 · Matt 19:22 · Matt 21:25 · Matt 21:33 · Matt 26:24 · Matt 26:71 435×
Future Middle Matt 5:21 · Matt 5:22 · Matt 6:21 · Matt 6:22 · Matt 6:23 · Matt 8:12 · Matt 10:15 · Matt 11:22 · Matt 11:24 · Matt 12:11 · Matt 12:40 · Matt 12:45 · Matt 13:40 · Matt 13:42 · Matt 13:49 · Matt 13:50 186×
Imperfect Middle Matt 25:35 · Matt 25:36 · Matt 25:43 · Mark 14:49 · John 11:15 · John 16:4 · John 17:12 · Acts 10:30 · Acts 11:5 · Acts 11:17 · Acts 22:19 · Acts 22:20 · 1 Cor 13:11 · Gal 1:10 · Gal 1:22 · Matt 23:30 20×
Infinitive verbal noun — the action in abstract 128×
Present Active Matt 16:13 · Matt 16:15 · Matt 17:4 · Matt 19:21 · Matt 20:27 · Matt 22:23 · Mark 8:27 · Mark 8:29 · Mark 9:5 · Mark 9:35 · Mark 10:44 · Mark 12:18 · Mark 14:64 · Luke 2:4 · Luke 2:6 · Luke 2:44 124×
Future Middle Acts 11:28 · Acts 23:30 · Acts 24:15 · Acts 27:10 4×
Participle verbal adjective — the action as a modifying quality 158×
Subjunctive possibility, probability, or purpose 69×
Present Active Matt 6:4 · Matt 6:22 · Matt 6:23 · Matt 10:13 · Matt 20:4 · Matt 24:28 · Mark 5:18 · Luke 10:6 · Luke 11:34 · Luke 14:8 · Luke 20:28 · John 3:2 · John 3:27 · John 6:65 · John 9:31 · John 14:16 69×
Imperative command or strong request 21×
Present Active Matt 5:37 · Matt 18:17 · Acts 1:20 · Acts 2:14 · Acts 4:10 · Acts 13:38 · Acts 28:28 · 1 Cor 16:22 · 2 Cor 12:16 · Gal 1:8 · Gal 1:9 · Jas 1:19 · Jas 5:12 · 1 Pet 3:3 · Matt 2:13 · Matt 5:25 21×
Optative wish or remote possibility 12×
Present Active Luke 1:29 · Luke 3:15 · Luke 8:9 · Luke 9:46 · Luke 15:26 · Luke 18:36 · Luke 22:23 · John 13:24 · Acts 8:20 · Acts 10:17 · Acts 20:16 · Acts 21:33 12×
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 1 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect
Tense
present 1
Voice
active 1
Mood
indicative 1
NT Occurrences
Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.
For the Preacher and Teacher
Eimi demonstrates that theological weight belongs to propositions, not isolated dictionary glosses. John 1:1 uses being clauses to distinguish the Word from God in relation and confess the Word as God in identity. John 8:58 places Jesus’ present self-assertion before Abraham’s coming into being, creating a striking claim that must be read inside John’s sustained testimony.
John 14:6 joins “I am” to the predicates way, truth, and life, while Matthew 28:20 turns being language into the risen Lord’s promise of enduring presence. Even when a neighboring statement such as John 10:30 deepens the Gospel’s Christology, its meaning arises from the whole exchange. Teachers should therefore resist slogans, parse each clause patiently, and proclaim the identity or presence the inspired sentence actually affirms.
Anchor passage
John.1.1
Doctrinal connections
- John.1.1 uses carefully related being clauses to confess both the Word’s distinction in relation to God and the Word’s divine identity.
- John.8.58 contrasts Abraham’s coming into being with Jesus’ “I am,” a marked temporal and personal claim within John’s witness to the Son.
- John.14.6 joins eimi to the predicates way, truth, and life, and Jesus’ following sentence establishes exclusive access to the Father through Him.
- Matt.28.20 uses eimi in the risen Christ’s promise to remain with His disciple-making people until the end of the age.
- John.10.30 stands in the same Gospel context of Jesus’ identity and relation to the Father, showing why nearby being statements must be read within John’s whole Christological argument.
- Rev.1.8 uses being language in the Lord God’s declaration of His present, past, and coming existence, placing creaturely history under His sovereign eternity.
Eimi is a highly frequent, irregular Greek verb. It can link a subject to a predicate, assert existence or presence, and participate in periphrastic constructions with participles. Person, number, tense form, predicate type, word order, and discourse context all affect interpretation. The local artifact currently groups about 2,456 occurrences, so no single theological formula can account for the entire range.
From Old to New Testament
The God of Scripture identifies Himself, pledges His presence, and distinguishes the Creator from creatures throughout the canon. New Testament eimi clauses sometimes participate in that revelation, especially in the words of Jesus, but canonical connection must follow each complete claim. God’s self-identification in the Old Testament informs Christian reading without making every ordinary Greek being verb an echo of the divine name.
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain