Eán — G1437

G1437 · Greek — ἐάν

Pronunciation: eh-an'

Definition

conjunction

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

  1. a conditional particle (derived from εἰ ἄν), which makes reference to time and to experience, introducing something future, but not determining, before the event, whether it is certainly to take place
    1. with the subjunctive, according to the regular usage of the more ancient and elegant classic writers
      1. with the subjunctive present
      2. with the subjunctive aorist, corresponding to the Latin future perfect
      3. irregularly, but to be explained as an imitation of the Hebrew אִם which is also a particle of time , ἐάν with the subjunctive aorist is used of things which the speaker or writer thinks will certainly take place, where ὅταν, when, whenever, should have been used
      4. sometimes when the particle is used with the subjunctive aorist the futurity of a thing is not so much affirmed as imagined, it being known to be something which never could happen
    2. by a somewhat negligent use, met with from the time of Aristotle on, ἐάν is connected also with the indicative
    3. ἐάν joined with other particles
      1. ἐάν δέ καί, but if also, but even if, (A. V. but and if )
      2. ἐάν καί
      3. ἐάν μή, if not, unless, except
      4. ἐάνπερ (L Tr separately, ἐάν περ) if only, if indeed
      5. ἐάν τέ... ἐάν τέ,sive...sive, whether... or
      6. κἄν for καί ἐάν, see κἄν
  2. The classic use of the conditional particle ἐάν also in the contracted form ἄν seems to have led the biblical writers of both Testaments to connect ἐάν, with relative pronouns and adverbs instead of the potential particle ἄν, as ὅς ἐάν , ὁ ἐάν , etc

Usually translated as

if, whatsoever, though, except, whether, whithersoever, when, but, soever, whensoever, to whom, whoso, before, so

Origin

from G1487 and G302

Occurrences

Eán occurs 294 times in 270 verses of the King James.

Distribution of the word across the Bible: Matthew (54), Mark (30), Luke (29), John (42), Acts (5), Romans (12), 1 Corinthians (37), 2 Corinthians (6), Galatians (4), Ephesians (1), Colossians (3), 1 Thessalonians (1), 1 Timothy (3), 2 Timothy (2), Hebrews (8), James (6), 1 Peter (1), 1 John (19), 3 John (2), Revelation (5)

Strong's Lexicon — E