Matthew 16:4:12Matt.16.4.W12TAB
εἰ
ei
“if”
- Transliteration
- EI
- Extended
- EI
- IPA
- /iː/
Meaning by language
- English
- if
Alphabet Analysis
| Epsilon | e — as in met (short) | |
| Iota | i — as in machine |
Tap any key to hear its pronunciation
Now you try — trace the word:
The word
Word in context
- word
EI
- phraseyour reading level
KAI sê-MEI-on OO do-THÊ-se-tai au-TÊI EI MÊ TO sê-MEI-on i-ô-NA
- sentence
ye-ne-A po-nê-RA KAI moi-kha-LIS sê-MEI-on e-pi-zê-TEI KAI sê-MEI-on OO do-THÊ-se-tai au-TÊI EI MÊ TO sê-MEI-on i-ô-NA
Exegesis
The verb sēmeion epizētei {σημεῖον ἐπιζητεῖ | sēmeîon epizēteî} follows a fronted object for emphasis, and its present tense indicates a recurrent demand.
The coordinating conjunction kai {καὶ | kaí} introduces a parallel structure: sēmeion ou dothēsetai autē {σημεῖον οὐ δοθήσεται αὐτῇ | sēmeîon ou dothḗsetai autḗ} negates the future passive verb with ou, signifying refusal.
The conditional εἰ μὴ {ei mē} sets an exception to the refusal, governing the genitive phrase to sēmeion Iōna {τὸ σημεῖον Ἰωνᾶ | tò sēmeîon Iōná}.
Root and etymology
sēmasigma–eta–mu–alpha
“sign, mark”
In context — Matthew 16:4
An evil and adulterous generation keeps looking for a sign, but no sign will be granted to it except the sign of Jonah ; and after leaving them, He went away.
About this coordinate
Matthew 16:4:12 is a BCV:P reference — Book · Chapter · Verse · Word Position. It addresses word 12 of Matthew 16:4, so the Greek word εἰ (ei) can be cited, linked and studied at exactly this position rather than somewhere in the verse. In the Biblical Knowledge Coordinate System the same position is written Matt.16.4.W12, which extends further down to each syllable (Matt.16.4.W12.S1) and character.