### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word G1526 (εἰσί, transliterated as *eisí*) is the 3rd person plural present indicative form of the verb εἰμί (eimi, `{{G1510}}`), meaning "to be." Its most direct and fundamental translation is "they are." As a copula, G1526 serves to connect a plural subject with a predicate, thereby expressing existence, state, identity, or relationship. While "they are" is its primary sense, its semantic range in context can extend to imply agreement ("they agree"), duration ("they endure"), or simply the factual reality of a situation ("these things are"). It is a foundational verb for asserting facts and describing the nature of things.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
As a form of the verb "to be," G1526 appears frequently throughout the New Testament, often serving to define or affirm. Its usage is critical for understanding the identity of individuals or groups, their spiritual state, or the nature of divine realities.
* **Expressing Identity:** G1526 frequently defines who people are in relation to God or the world. In [[Matthew 13:38]], Jesus explains the parable of the weeds: "the good seed are the sons of the kingdom; but the tares are the sons of the wicked one." Here, εἰσὶν (a variant of G1526) clearly delineates the identity of two distinct groups. Similarly, [[John 10:35]] quotes Psalm 82:6, "If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and Scripture cannot be broken)," where εἰσὶν identifies those to whom the divine word was given.
* **Describing State or Condition:** The word is also used to describe the current condition or status of subjects. [[Romans 1:20]] states concerning humanity's knowledge of God, "so that people are without excuse," using εἰσὶν to describe their culpable state. In [[Romans 9:4]], Paul lists the privileges of Israel, stating, "who are Israelites, to whom belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises." εἰσὶν here describes their unique, divinely ordained status.
* **Affirming Unity or Relationship:** G1526 is vital in passages that convey unity or specific relationships. [[1 Corinthians 12:12]] powerfully illustrates the unity of the church: "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so too is Christ." Here, εἰσὶν ("are one body") underscores the profound spiritual cohesion of believers.
* **Stating Factual Reality:** Beyond identity or state, G1526 simply asserts what is true. [[Matthew 20:16]] concludes the parable of the laborers in the vineyard with, "For many are called, but few are chosen," using εἰσὶν to state a stark reality about salvation.
### Related Words & Concepts
G1526 is one specific inflection of the highly significant Greek verb εἰμί (eimi, `{{G1510}}`), "to be." Understanding G1526 necessitates an awareness of its root and other related forms:
* `{{G1510}}` (εἰμί): The infinitive "to be," the foundational verb of existence.
* `{{G2076}}` (ἐστιν, estin): The 3rd person singular present indicative, "he/she/it is."
* `{{G2070}}` (ἐσμεν, esmen): The 1st person plural present indicative, "we are."
* `{{G2075}}` (ἐστε, este): The 2nd person plural present indicative, "you (plural) are."
Conceptually, G1526 relates to notions of:
* **Existence and Being:** The very fact of something existing.
* **Essence and Nature:** What something fundamentally is.
* **Identity:** Who or what someone/something is.
* **Reality and Truth:** What is genuinely so.
These concepts are intrinsically linked to the theological declarations made throughout Scripture.
### Theological Significance
Though a seemingly simple grammatical element, G1526 carries profound theological weight because it undergirds statements of divine truth and reality.
1. **Foundation of Truth:** When the Bible states "they are," it often conveys an established, unchangeable truth, whether about God's people, the nature of sin, or the realities of the spiritual realm. These are not mere suggestions but divine declarations of what is.
2. **Ecclesiological Identity:** G1526 is crucial in defining the nature and identity of the Church. Phrases like "they are one body in Christ" ([[1 Corinthians 12:12]]) or "they are children of God" (implied in many passages like [[1 John 3:1]]) assert the supernatural reality of the believing community and its relationship with God.
3. **Anthropological State:** The word helps to describe the spiritual condition of humanity, whether in sin ("they are without excuse," [[Romans 1:20]]) or in redemption ("they are justified").
4. **Divine Authority:** The very act of stating "they are" in a biblical context often implicitly carries the authority of God, who defines reality. While G1526 itself is not the "I AM" of God (`{{G1510}}`), it is a derivative form that participates in the broader theological framework of God as the ultimate source and definer of all being.
### Summary
G1526 (εἰσί) is the 3rd person plural present indicative of the Greek verb "to be," primarily meaning "they are." While grammatically straightforward, its theological significance is immense, serving as a fundamental copula that defines identity, describes states, affirms relationships, and declares factual realities within the biblical narrative. It is a seemingly simple word that underpins profound theological declarations concerning the nature of God's people, the human condition, and the established truths of the divine economy, always pointing to the ultimate reality defined by God Himself.
TRV