### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
G1488 (εἶ) is the second person singular present indicative form of the Greek verb G1510 (εἰμί), which means "to be." Consequently, its primary and most direct meaning is "you are" or "thou art." This form is fundamental to expressing existence, identity, and predication within the Greek New Testament. It functions principally as a copula, serving to connect a subject to a predicate noun, adjective, or adverbial phrase, thereby asserting a state of being, a quality, or a location. Beyond a mere grammatical link, εἶ frequently conveys an affirmation, recognition, or declaration of truth concerning the person being addressed, making its semantic range deeply intertwined with the very concept of being and the establishment of identity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The form εἶ appears numerous times throughout the New Testament, often in contexts of profound theological significance, particularly in direct address when identifying or confessing the nature of an individual.
* One of the most pivotal uses is in Peter's confession of Jesus' identity: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" ([[Matthew 16:16]]). Here, εἶ serves as a foundational declaration of Jesus' unique identity and divine sonship, a cornerstone of Christian faith. Similar declarations are found in [[John 6:69]] ("You are the Holy One of God") and Martha's confession in [[John 11:27]] ("Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world").
* Jesus himself employs εἶ when acknowledging others' understanding or identity. To Nathanael, He responds, "You are the King of Israel!" ([[John 1:49]]), recognizing Nathanael's prior insight. When questioned by Pilate about His kingship, Jesus states, "You say that I am a king" ([[John 18:37]]), a nuanced affirmation of the truth of Pilate's statement.
* In the Synoptic Gospels, εἶ is used in questions of identity, such as John the Baptist's disciples asking Jesus, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" ([[Matthew 11:3]]). This probes Jesus' messianic identity.
* The Epistles utilize εἶ to define the new identity of believers in Christ. For instance, Paul writes, "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus" ([[Galatians 3:26]]), underscoring the spiritual status conferred by faith. Similarly, Jesus tells His disciples, "You are the salt of the earth" ([[Matthew 5:13]]) and "You are the light of the world" ([[Matthew 5:14]]), defining their inherent spiritual purpose and nature.
In each instance, the use of εἶ transcends simple grammatical function, conveying significant meaning about the nature, status, or role of the person addressed, often in relation to divine truth or revelation.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related Greek word is the infinitive G1510 (εἰμί), "to be," from which G1488 (εἶ) is a conjugated form. A thorough understanding of εἰμί is essential, as εἶ is merely one of its many inflections. Other significant forms include G2076 (ἐστιν - "he/she/it is"), G1511 (ἔσται - "he/she/it will be"), and G2258 (ἦν - "he/she/it was").
The core concept conveyed by εἶ is "being," which stands in contrast to "becoming" (expressed by verbs like γίνομαι, `{{G1096}}`) or "doing" (expressed by verbs like ποιέω, `{{G4160}}`). While γίνομαι emphasizes a process or transition into a state, εἰμί (and thus εἶ) denotes an inherent, existing, or established state.
Theologically, concepts intrinsically linked to εἶ include:
* **Existence:** The fundamental fact of being.
* **Identity:** The inherent nature or essential character of someone or something.
* **Truth and Reality:** The affirmation of what is genuinely and fundamentally so.
* **Divine Nature:** When applied to God or Christ, it speaks to their eternal, immutable, and self-existent being.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of G1488 (εἶ) is profound, particularly in its application to the person of Jesus Christ and the nature of God, as well as the identity of believers.
* **Christological Confession:** The repeated use of "You are..." in confessions of Christ's identity (e.g., Son of God, Christ, Lord, Holy One) underscores the foundational truth of His divine nature and messianic role. These are not merely descriptive titles but declarations of His essential being. The certainty implied by "you *are*" stands in stark contrast to the uncertainties of human perception or expectation.
* **Divine Revelation:** While εἶ itself means "you are," its connection to the root G1510 (εἰμί) and Jesus' "I AM" (ἐγώ εἰμι) statements links it to the divine self-revelation of Yahweh in the Old Testament ("I AM WHO I AM" - `{{H1961}}`, [[Exodus 3:14]]). When εἶ is used in direct address to Christ, it implicitly acknowledges His shared divine being, authority, and eternal nature.
* **Defining Identity:** The verb εἶ is critical for defining the identity of individuals within the biblical narrative. Whether it's John the Baptist ("You are Elijah" - [[Matthew 17:10-13]]) or believers ("You are the salt of the earth" - [[Matthew 5:13]]; "You are the light of the world" - [[Matthew 5:14]]), εἶ establishes their inherent nature, role, or spiritual status as given by God. This emphasizes a theology of being rather than merely doing; one's identity in Christ often precedes and empowers one's actions.
* **Immutability and Eternity:** When εἶ is used in reference to God, it points to His unchanging, eternal nature. Although a present tense form, in the context of divine being, it transcends temporal limitations, suggesting a perpetual state of existence.
### Summary
G1488 (εἶ) is the second person singular present indicative form of the Greek verb G1510 (εἰμί), fundamentally meaning "you are" or "thou art." Its core function is to express existence, identity, and predication. Biblically, εἶ carries profound theological weight, particularly in its role as a declarative statement of truth concerning the person addressed. It is central to Christological confessions, affirming Jesus' divine nature and messianic identity (e.g., "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God"). Furthermore, it defines the inherent identity and spiritual status of individuals, including believers, within God's redemptive plan. The word underscores the concept of being, emphasizing what fundamentally *is* rather than what is becoming or merely being done, thereby pointing to the essential, often divinely-ordained nature of the subject. Its connection to the broader concept of "I AM" highlights its deep implications for understanding divine self-revelation and the immutable nature of God.
TRV