Brief Overview of ἡμᾶς (Strong’s G2248: hēmas)

Introduction

Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies is crucial for grasping the nuances and depth of the New Testament. The Greek word ἡμᾶς (hēmas), meaning “us,” is a significant pronoun in the Greek language, frequently appearing in the New Testament to emphasize the communal aspect of faith and the collective identity of believers. Its usage provides insights into early Christian theology and the cultural context of the ancient Greek-speaking world, where concepts of community, identity, and collective responsibility were paramount.

Key Information

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• The Greek Word: ἡμᾶς (hēmas), pronounced [hay-MAHS].
• Etymology: Derived from the Greek word ἡμεῖς (hēmeis), meaning “we.”
• Part of Speech: Pronoun; personal pronoun, first person plural in the accusative case.
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

• Us: Used as a first-person plural pronoun in the accusative case, referring to the group that includes the speaker.

Similar Words: ἡμεῖς (hēmeis), pronounced [hay-MAYS], is the nominative form of the same pronoun, meaning “we.” While ἡμᾶς (hēmas) is used when “us” is the object of a verb or preposition, ἡμεῖς (hēmeis) serves as the subject of a sentence.

Further Insights: ἡμᾶς (hēmas) follows the standard pattern for Greek first-person plural pronouns. It is used in various grammatical contexts, often in conjunction with verbs or prepositions. Here is a declension table for first-person plural pronouns:

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Lexicon Insights

BDAG: The BDAG lexicon describes ἡμᾶς (hēmas) as the accusative case form of “we,” used to denote “us” as the direct object in sentences. It is frequently found in both narrative and doctrinal passages, emphasizing collective participation and responsibility.

Thayers: Thayer’s Lexicon defines ἡμᾶς (hēmas) as “us,” highlighting its usage in contexts where the speaker includes themselves in a group, such as “forgive us our debts” or “deliver us from evil.”

Vines: Vine’s Expository Dictionary categorizes ἡμᾶς (hēmas) under “Pronouns” and explains its function within the Greek sentence structure as the accusative form, marking the direct object affected by the action of the verb.

LSJ: The Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon notes that ἡμᾶς (hēmas) is a commonly used pronoun in classical and Koine Greek, and it appears across various Greek texts, from philosophical dialogues to Biblical writings, to convey the idea of a collective entity or group.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s Concordance identifies ἡμᾶς (hēmas) as Strong’s G2248 and defines it simply as “us,” providing references to its occurrences in the New Testament where it emphasizes the collective aspect of the early Christian communities.

Related Scripture References

• Matthew 6:13: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” (ἡμᾶς)
• Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us (ἡμᾶς), in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (ἡμᾶς).”
• Ephesians 2:4-5: “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us (ἡμᾶς), even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us (ἡμᾶς) alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.”

Classical Usage

Summary of ἡμᾶς (G2248: hēmas)

The Greek word ἡμᾶς (hēmas) is the first-person plural pronoun in the accusative case, meaning “us.” It is a critical term in the New Testament, conveying a sense of collective identity among believers. Its use in various contexts, both Biblical and classical, highlights its importance in understanding the communal and inclusive aspects of ancient Greek society and early Christianity. This pronoun is essential for interpreting passages where the audience or group involved includes the speaker, reflecting the collective nature of early Christian doctrine and community.

Did You Know?

• The word ἡμᾶς (hēmas), while simple, carries profound theological significance in phrases like “deliver us” or “forgive us,” emphasizing both personal and collective aspects of faith.
• ἡμᾶς (hēmas) is part of a set of Greek pronouns that are often used in contrast to second-person and third-person pronouns to delineate the involved parties clearly in a dialogue or narrative.
• In the Septuagint, ἡμᾶς (hēmas) often appears in Psalms and prayers, reflecting its role in communal worship and supplication in ancient Jewish and Christian traditions.

Understanding ἡμᾶς (hēmas) helps provide a deeper insight into the unity and interconnectedness emphasized in the New Testament and ancient Greek thought.