Word Study for G297 (ἀμφότερος)

amphóteros /am-fot'-er-os/ Ask about this word

Meaningcomparative of (around); (in plural) both

KJV usageboth.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of amphóteros — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word amphóteros, represented by G297, is a term signifying both. It appears 15 times across 14 unique verses in the Bible. The word is used to group two distinct entities—people, objects, or concepts—and discuss them as a single unit sharing a common action, state, or consequence.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical usage, G297 appears in a variety of contexts to highlight a shared condition or outcome. It is used to describe the unified righteousness of Zacharias and Elisabeth, who were both righteous before God Luke 1:6. In parables, it illustrates a common fate, such as when the blind lead the blind and both fall into the ditch Matthew 15:14, or when new wine is put into new bottles and both are preserved Matthew 9:17. Theologically, its most significant use is in describing the reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles, whom Christ has made both one Ephesians 2:14.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the contexts in which G297 is used:

G1520 heîs (one): This word represents the outcome of reconciliation in Ephesians, where Christ has made both groups one Ephesians 2:14.
G3320 mesótoichon (middle wall): This refers to the figurative barrier of partition that Christ broke down in order to unite both parties Ephesians 2:14.
G2189 échthra (enmity): This describes the hostility that was slain by the cross, allowing for the reconciliation of both in one body Ephesians 2:16.
G4318 prosagōgḗ (access): This is the shared privilege that both now have to the Father through one Spirit Ephesians 2:18.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G297 is most evident in its contribution to the doctrine of unity in Christ.

Reconciliation and Unity: The term is central to explaining the union of Jews and Gentiles. In Christ, the two are made both one, with the middle wall of partition having been broken down Ephesians 2:14. He reconciled both to God in one body through the cross Ephesians 2:16.
Shared Consequence: In the teachings of Jesus, G297 underscores the principle of shared destiny. When the wheat and tares G2215 are allowed to grow together, both remain until the harvest Matthew 13:30. When a blind leader guides a blind person, both inevitably share the fate of falling into the ditch Luke 6:39.
Mutual Condition: The word also defines a shared state of being. Philip and the eunuch went down both into the water for baptism Acts 8:38. Zacharias and Elisabeth were both advanced in years and both were righteous in God's sight Luke 1:6-7.

Summary

In summary, G297 is more than a simple numerical adjective. It is a crucial word for understanding biblical concepts of unity, shared responsibility, and mutual outcomes. From illustrating the combined righteousness of a faithful couple to defining the very nature of reconciliation in Christ, amphóteros shows how two distinct entities can be bound together in condition, action, and ultimate destiny.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as an adjective across 15 occurrences, inflected in 5 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Nominative Plural Masculine 8×
Accusative Plural Neuter 4×
Accusative Plural Masculine 1×
Dative Plural Masculine 1×
Genitive Plural Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Genitive: Possession or source — often "of".
Dative: The indirect object — often "to" or "for".
Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
Neuter: Neuter grammatical gender.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 14 verses across 4 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Luke (6 verses); never once in the other 23.

Matthew

Luke

Acts

Ephesians

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.