### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word ὤν (ṓn) `{{G5607}}` is the masculine singular nominative present active participle of the verb εἰμί (eimi) `{{G1510}}`, meaning "to be" or "to exist." Its fundamental semantic range encompasses:
* **Continuous Existence:** It denotes an ongoing state of being or existence, emphasizing that something *is* in a particular way or place at a given time, and often, eternally.
* **Identity and Nature:** It can function substantively, referring to "the one who is" or "that which is," thereby defining identity or inherent nature.
* **Attributive State:** It describes a quality, condition, or relationship that is presently true of a subject.
* **Periphrastic Use:** While the base definition includes "be, come, have," its primary function as a participle is to convey the continuous aspect of the verb "to be," often used in conjunction with other verbs or substantives to form descriptive phrases.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The participle ὤν appears frequently in the New Testament, often carrying significant theological weight, particularly when referring to God or Christ.
* **Divine Name/Nature:** Perhaps its most profound usage is in the book of Revelation, where it is a central descriptor of God: "the one who is and who was and who is to come" ([[Revelation 1:4]], [[Revelation 1:8]], [[Revelation 4:8]]). This phrase directly echoes the divine self-declaration of YHWH in the Old Testament, "I AM WHO I AM" ([[Exodus 3:14]]). Here, ὤν signifies God's eternal, self-existent, and unchanging nature, transcending time.
* **Christological Identity:** ὤν is crucial in passages that articulate the divine nature and pre-existence of Jesus Christ:
* In [[John 1:18]], "the only God, who *is* at the Father's side" (ὁ ὢν εἰς τὸν κόλπον τοῦ πατρός), ὤν describes Christ's unique and eternal relationship of intimacy and co-equality with the Father.
* [[Romans 9:5]] refers to Christ as "who *is* God over all, blessed forever" (ὁ ὢν ἐπὶ πάντων θεὸς εὐλογητὸς εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας), a strong affirmation of His deity.
* [[Hebrews 1:3]] describes Christ as "who *is* the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature" (ὃς ὢν ἀπαύγασμα τῆς δόξης καὶ χαρακτὴρ τῆς ὑποστάσεως αὐτοῦ), highlighting His eternal and essential being as God.
* In [[Hebrews 5:8]], "Although he *was* a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered" (καίπερ ὢν υἱός, ἔμαθεν ἀφ᾽ ὧν ἔπαθεν τὴν ὑπακοήν), ὤν underscores Christ's inherent identity as the Son, even in His human experience.
* **General Descriptive Use:** ὤν is also used more generally to describe the state or condition of individuals or things:
* [[Romans 4:19]] describes Abraham as "being about a hundred years old" (ἑκατονταετής ὢν), indicating his advanced age and the natural impossibility of fathering children.
* [[Acts 13:1]] speaks of "Barnabas, being a prophet and teacher" (Βαρνάβας ὢν προφήτης καὶ διδάσκαλος), describing his role and gift.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **εἰμί (eimi) `{{G1510}}`**: The root verb from which ὤν is derived. It is the fundamental verb of existence, "to be."
* **ὕπαρχω (hyparchō) `{{G5225}}`**: Another verb meaning "to be" or "to exist." While often used synonymously with εἰμί, ὕπαρχω can sometimes carry a nuance of "being by nature" or "being from the beginning," emphasizing an inherent or pre-existing state (e.g., [[Philippians 2:6]]).
* **γίνομαι (ginomai) `{{G1096}}`**: Meaning "to become" or "to come into being." This verb stands in contrast to ὤν, as ὤν emphasizes continuous, established existence rather than a process of transformation or origination.
* **ἐγώ εἰμί (egō eimi)**: "I am." This phrase, particularly on the lips of Jesus in John's Gospel, echoes the divine name and asserts His eternal, self-existent nature, aligning conceptually with the "one who is" conveyed by ὤν.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ὤν lies primarily in its role in defining the nature of God and Christ.
* **God's Eternal Being:** The repeated use of "ὁ ὢν" in Revelation establishes God as the eternally existing, self-sufficient, and unchanging One. This title asserts His absolute sovereignty over all creation and time, grounding the believer's hope and worship in a God who simply *is*, without beginning or end. It is a profound affirmation of divine aseity.
* **Christ's Divine Identity:** When applied to Jesus, ὤν decisively affirms His pre-existence and co-equality with God the Father. It is not merely that Jesus *became* divine, but that He *is* eternally divine, sharing the very essence and nature of God. This is foundational to the doctrines of the Trinity and the Incarnation.
* **Reality and Truth:** More broadly, the participle ὤν underscores the reality and actuality of whatever it describes. It emphasizes that a state, quality, or relationship is not merely potential or fleeting, but a present and enduring truth.
### Summary
**ὤν (ṓn) `{{G5607}}`** is the masculine singular nominative present active participle of **εἰμί (eimi) `{{G1510}}`**, conveying the meaning of "being," "existing," or "the one who is." Its core semantic range emphasizes continuous existence, identity, and an inherent state. Biblically, its most profound usage is in describing the eternal, self-existent nature of God ("the one who is" in Revelation), echoing the divine name YHWH. Crucially, it is also employed to affirm the pre-existent, divine identity of Jesus Christ, highlighting His eternal relationship with the Father and His inherent deity (e.g., [[John 1:18]], [[Romans 9:5]], [[Hebrews 1:3]]). Theologically, ὤν undergirds the doctrines of God's aseity and Christ's co-equality with God, providing a linguistic foundation for understanding the unchanging and eternal reality of the Divine Being.
TRV