### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek particle ἤπερ (ḗper, `{{G2260}}`) is a compound formed from the comparative conjunction ἤ (ē, "than," "or") and the enclitic particle περ (per, "indeed," "just," "even"). As such, its core meaning extends beyond a simple comparison, carrying an intensified or emphatic force. It can be translated as "than indeed," "than truly," "than at all," or "than by far." The addition of περ serves to underscore the certainty, reality, or absolute nature of the comparison being made, making the contrast or preference more pronounced. It functions to highlight a clear and undeniable superiority or a stark difference between two elements.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The particle ἤπερ is relatively rare in the New Testament, appearing in only three notable instances, each lending significant emphasis to the comparative statement:
* **[[Matthew 10:14]]**: "And whoever will not receive you nor listen to your words, as you go out of that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Truly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment *than for* that city." Here, ἤπερ dramatically intensifies the comparison between the judgment awaiting the unrepentant city and that of Sodom and Gomorrah. It underscores the profound severity of rejecting the messengers of Christ, suggesting that the latter's fate will be *even worse* than the historically condemned cities, making the divine judgment unequivocally clear.
* **[[Luke 15:7]]**: "I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents *than over* ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." In this parable of the lost sheep, ἤπερ highlights the extraordinary and greater joy in heaven over a single repentant sinner. The particle emphasizes the divine value placed on repentance and restoration, making the joy over the one lost sheep not merely "more" but *decidedly more* or *truly more* than over those who seemingly require no repentance. It accentuates the salvific priority and the heart of God.
* **[[Luke 17:2]]**: "It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea *than that* he should cause one of these little ones to stumble." This stark warning from Jesus uses ἤπερ to convey the extreme gravity of causing a "little one" (a vulnerable believer or new convert) to stumble. The comparison is not merely that one is preferable to the other, but that even a horrific, public death by drowning is *far better* or *indeed better* than the spiritual offense of leading another astray. The particle underscores the immense seriousness with which God views the protection of His vulnerable children.
### Related Words & Concepts
ἤπερ is fundamentally linked to its constituent parts:
* ἤ (ē, `{{G2228}}`): The basic comparative conjunction, meaning "or" or "than." ἤπερ is an intensified form of this.
* περ (per): An enclitic particle that adds emphasis, often translated as "indeed," "just," "even." It functions to make a statement more definite or emphatic.
Other related concepts include:
* **Comparative constructions**: The broader linguistic category of expressing comparisons, often involving adverbs like μᾶλλον (mallon, `{{G3123}}`, "more," "rather") or adjectives in their comparative degree. ἤπερ specifically serves to heighten the force of such comparisons.
* **Emphasis**: The primary rhetorical function of ἤπερ is to add emphasis to a statement, drawing the listener's attention to the significant difference or preference being expressed.
* **Divine priority and judgment**: In its biblical contexts, ἤπερ often serves to highlight what is of *greater* importance or consequence from God's perspective, whether in terms of judgment, joy, or moral severity.
### Theological Significance
Though a small and infrequent particle, ἤπερ carries significant theological weight by intensifying the divine pronouncements in which it appears. It elevates the comparative statements from mere observations to profound theological truths.
In [[Matthew 10:14]], ἤπερ underscores the absolute certainty and severity of divine judgment for those who reject the gospel message. It reveals God's unwavering justice and the dire consequences of spiritual apathy or resistance, emphasizing that such rejection incurs a greater condemnation than even the most infamous historical examples of wickedness.
In [[Luke 15:7]], ἤπερ illuminates the boundless and extraordinary joy in heaven over the repentance of a single sinner. This intensifies the revelation of God's heart for the lost, demonstrating that His compassion and desire for restoration far outweigh any perceived joy over those who believe they have no need of repentance. It underscores the profound value God places on a repentant heart and the redemptive work of Christ.
In [[Luke 17:2]], ἤπερ conveys the extreme abhorrence Christ has for those who cause spiritual harm to His "little ones." The particle makes clear that the spiritual well-being of the vulnerable is of paramount importance to God, and the consequences for hindering their faith are unimaginably severe. It speaks to the sanctity of spiritual innocence and the solemn responsibility of believers to protect and nurture one another in faith.
Across these passages, ἤπερ serves as a linguistic intensifier for divine truth, leaving no ambiguity about the *greater* reality, the *more severe* consequence, or the *profoundly higher* value placed on certain spiritual matters from God's perspective.
### Summary
ἤπερ (ḗper, `{{G2260}}`) is a Greek comparative particle, a compound of ἤ ("than") and περ (an emphatic particle), meaning "than indeed" or "than truly." Its primary function is to intensify a comparison, making it more forceful and absolute. Though rare in the New Testament, its occurrences in [[Matthew 10:14]], [[Luke 15:7]], and [[Luke 17:2]] are highly significant. In these contexts, ἤπερ powerfully emphasizes the severity of divine judgment, the extraordinary joy in heaven over repentance, and the extreme gravity of causing spiritual stumbling. Theologically, it underscores God's priorities, justice, and compassion, highlighting the *greater* weight or preference God places on specific spiritual realities and moral actions. It is a small word that carries immense rhetorical and theological weight, leaving no doubt about the absolute nature of the comparisons it articulates within Christ's teachings.
TRV