future of εἰμί; will be:--shall (should) be (have), (shall) come (to pass), X may have, X fall, what would follow, X live long, X sojourn.
Transliteration:ésomai
Pronunciation:es'-om-ahee
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
ἔσομαι (ésomai) serves as the future tense of the verb `{{G1510}}` (εἰμί), which means "to be." Its core meaning is therefore "will be," "shall be," or "is to be." The semantic range extends to include notions of coming into existence, happening, or occurring in the future. It denotes a certainty of future event or state, rather than a mere possibility. The various English translations, such as "shall (should) be (have)," "(shall) come (to pass)," "may have," "fall," "what would follow," "live long," or "sojourn," reflect the contextual nuances of future existence, occurrence, or state. Crucially, ἔσομαι conveys the definitive nature of a future reality.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
As a fundamental future verb, ἔσομαι is extensively used throughout the New Testament, appearing hundreds of times. Its usage is particularly significant in:
* **Prophetic Declarations:** It frequently appears in prophetic statements, both those quoting Old Testament prophecies and those uttered by Jesus or the apostles concerning future events. For example, in the Olivet Discourse, Jesus uses ἔσομαι to describe the certainty of future tribulation and signs ([[Matthew 24:6]], [[Matthew 24:21]], [[Matthew 24:24]]).
* **Divine Promises and Covenants:** When God or Christ declares something ἔσομαι, it signifies an immutable divine decree or promise. This is powerfully seen in the New Covenant promises: "For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more" ([[Hebrews 8:12]]), and "I will be their God, and they shall be My people" ([[Hebrews 8:10]], also [[Revelation 21:3]]).
* **Future Outcomes and Consequences:** It describes the certain outcome of actions or conditions. For instance, Jesus tells His disciples, "you will be hated by all for My name's sake" ([[Matthew 10:22]]).
* **Narrative Prediction:** In narrative, it predicts future events, such as the angel Gabriel's announcement to Zechariah regarding John the Baptist, "And he will be a joy and gladness to you" ([[Luke 1:14]]), or to Mary concerning Jesus, "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High" ([[Luke 1:32]]).
* **Eschatological Certainty:** In discussions of the end times, ἔσομαι underscores the absolute certainty of events like the resurrection ([[John 6:39]], [[John 6:40]], [[John 6:44]], [[John 6:54]]) and the consummation of God's kingdom.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{G1510}}` (εἰμί):** The present tense "to be," from which ἔσομαι is derived. Understanding the various existential, copulative, and predicative uses of εἰμί provides the foundational context for the future implications of ἔσομαι.
* **`{{G1096}}` (γίνομαι):** "to become," "to come into being," "to happen." While there is semantic overlap, γίνομαι often emphasizes the process of transition or the occurrence of an event, whereas ἔσομαι emphasizes the future state of being or the certainty of an event's reality. ἔσομαι focuses more on *what will exist*, γίνομαι on *what will come into existence*.
* **Divine Sovereignty:** The frequent use of ἔσομαι in divine pronouncements directly points to God's absolute sovereignty over time, history, and destiny. What God declares "will be" is not subject to human will or historical contingency, but is a fixed reality by divine decree.
* **Prophecy and Fulfillment:** ἔσομαι is intrinsically linked to the biblical concept of prophecy and its inevitable fulfillment. It serves as a linguistic marker for the reliability of God's spoken word regarding the future.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of ἔσομαι is immense, primarily because it articulates God's unwavering faithfulness and absolute sovereignty. When God declares that something ἔσομαι, it is not a mere prediction but a divine guarantee. This provides profound assurance to believers:
* **God's Unchanging Character and Promises:** The consistent use of ἔσομαι in God's covenant promises (e.g., "I will be their God, and they will be My people") affirms His steadfastness and the certainty of His redemptive plan. It assures believers that God's word is reliable and His purposes will be achieved.
* **The Certainty of Eschatological Hope:** In eschatological contexts, ἔσομαι underscores the absolute certainty of future events such as the return of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment, and the establishment of the new heavens and new earth. This certainty fuels Christian hope and resilience in the face of present trials.
* **The Reality of God's Kingdom:** The declaration that God's kingdom "will be" or "will come" (e.g., [[Revelation 21:3]]: "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God") provides a foundational truth for understanding the ultimate triumph of God's reign.
* **The Transformed Future of Believers:** ἔσομαι also speaks to the future state of believers – their glorification, their being with Christ, and their eternal fellowship with God. It gives substance to the hope of future blessedness.
### Summary
ἔσομαι (ésomai) is the crucial future tense of the Greek verb "to be" (`{{G1510}}`, εἰμί), conveying the meaning "will be," "shall be," or "will come to pass." Its significance in the New Testament is paramount, as it consistently communicates the absolute certainty and immutability of future events, particularly those decreed by God. Whether in prophetic declarations, divine promises, or eschatological pronouncements, ἔσομαι serves as a linguistic anchor for God's faithfulness and sovereignty. It assures the reader that what God has declared *will* indeed come to pass, providing a firm foundation for Christian hope and trust in the unfailing purposes of God throughout history and into eternity.
TRV