The meaning of “ὁ ὢν καί ὁ ἦν καί ὁ ἐρχόμενος”
Understanding ho ṑn kaí ho ēn kaí ho erchómenos reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
a phrase combining ὁ with the present participle and imperfect of εἰμί and the present participle of ἔρχομαι by means of...
ὁ ὢν καί ὁ ἦν καί ὁ ἐρχόμενος
a phrase combining ὁ with the present participle and imperfect of εἰμί and the present participle of ἔρχομαι by means of καί which art (is, was), and (which) wast (is, was), and art (is) to come (shalt be). - the one being and the one that was and the one coming, i.e. the Eternal, as a divine epithet of Christ
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Revelation 1:4 | “John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;” Word: ὁ ὢν καί ὁ ἦν καί ὁ ἐρχόμενος (ho ṑn kaí ho ēn kaí ho erchómenos) | |
| Revelation 1:8 | “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Word: ὁ ὢν καί ὁ ἦν καί ὁ ἐρχόμενος (ho ṑn kaí ho ēn kaí ho erchómenos) | |
| Revelation 4:8 | “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” Word: ὁ ὢν καί ὁ ἦν καί ὁ ἐρχόμενος (ho ṑn kaí ho ēn kaí ho erchómenos) | |
| Revelation 11:17 | “Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.” Word: ὁ ὢν καί ὁ ἦν καί ὁ ἐρχόμενος (ho ṑn kaí ho ēn kaí ho erchómenos) | |
| Revelation 16:5 | “And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.” Word: ὁ ὢν καί ὁ ἦν καί ὁ ἐρχόμενος (ho ṑn kaí ho ēn kaí ho erchómenos) |