English · KJV
G3801

ὁ ὢν καί ὁ ἦν καί ὁ ἐρχόμενος

ho ṑn kaí ho ēn kaí ho erchómenos /ho own kahee ho ane kahee ho er-khom'-en-os/ Ask about this word
Meaninga phrase combining ὁ with the present participle and imperfect of εἰμί and the present participle of ἔρχομαι by means of καί; the one being and the one that was and the one coming, i.e. the Eternal, as a divine epithet of Christ
KJV usagewhich art (is, was), and (which) wast (is, was), and art (is) to come (shalt be).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ho ṑn kaí ho ēn kaí ho erchómenos — 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 phrase ho ṑn kaí ho ēn kaí ho erchómenos, represented by G3801, is a divine epithet for Christ, meaning the one being and the one that was and the one coming, or simply, the Eternal. This title, which appears 15 times across 5 unique verses, is a construction combining participles for "being" G5607, "was" G2258, and "coming" G2064 to articulate a singular, timeless existence.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

This profound title is used exclusively in the book of Revelation to describe the nature of God. It serves as a formal introduction to the source of divine grace and peace, coming from "him which is, and which was, and which is to come" Revelation 1:4. The phrase is also a central part of heavenly worship, as the four beasts continually praise the "Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come" Revelation 4:8. It underscores God's absolute authority and eternality, particularly when He takes power and reigns Revelation 11:17 and executes righteous judgment Revelation 16:5.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the attributes of the one described by G3801:

  • G3841 pantokrátōr (the all-ruling): This term for Almighty is frequently paired with G3801 to emphasize the absolute and universal sovereignty of God as the eternal one Revelation 1:8.
  • G2962 kýrios (Lord): Meaning supreme in authority, this title identifies the one who "is, and was, and is to come" as the ultimate Master and controller, worthy of worship and thanksgiving Revelation 11:17.
  • G1342 díkaios (just): This word, meaning equitable or holy, is used to describe the character of the eternal Lord, connecting his timeless existence to his righteous judgments Revelation 16:5.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G3801 is immense, defining the very essence of God's being.

  • Divine Eternality: The phrase encapsulates God's timeless nature, existing across the past, present, and future. This is highlighted when the Lord declares, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending... which is, and which was, and which is to come" Revelation 1:8.
  • Supreme Authority and Worship: The title is invoked in moments of ultimate worship and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty. Heavenly beings use this specific name to declare God holy and praise Him as the Lord God Almighty Revelation 4:8.
  • Foundation of Judgment: God's eternal nature is presented as the basis for His perfect righteousness. When the angel of the waters affirms God's justice, he addresses Him as the one "which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus" Revelation 16:5.

Summary

In summary, G3801 is far more than a title; it is a declaration of divine reality. It establishes God's unchanging and eternal existence as the foundation for His identity as the Almighty G3841, His authority as Lord G2962, and His character as righteous G1342. Confined to the visions of Revelation, this phrase consistently points to the God who transcends time and is the ultimate sovereign over all of creation, history, and eternity.

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 a verb across 12 occurrences, inflected in 5 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Singular 4×
  • Present Middle Or Passive Deponent Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 3×
  • Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 2×
  • Present Active Participle Vocative Singular Masculine 2×
  • Present Active Indicative 2nd Singular 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Vocative
Direct address — naming who is spoken to.
Singular
One.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Active
The subject performs the action.
Middle Or Passive
Can be read as middle or passive; context decides.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G5607 ὤν present participle of εἰμί; being:--be, come, have. G2258 ἦν imperfect of εἰμί; I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were):--+ agree, be, X have (+ charge of), hold, use, was(-t), were. G2064 ἔρχομαι middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred G3841 παντοκράτωρ from πᾶς and κράτος; the all-ruling, i.e. God (as absolute and universal sovereign):--Almighty, Omnipotent. G2962 κύριος from (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):-- Go G1342 δίκαιος from δίκη; equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively):--just, meet, righ

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

5 verses, all in Revelation — and none of the other 26 New Testament books.

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.