3603. ho esti
Lexical Summary
ho esti: "which is," "that is," "who is"

Original Word: ὅ ἐστι
Part of Speech: Phrase (relative pronoun + verb)
Transliteration: ho esti
Pronunciation: ho es-tee
Phonetic Spelling: (ho es-tee')
KJV: called, which is (make), that is (to say)
Word Origin: [from the neuter of G3739 (ὅς - which) and the third person singular present indicative of G1510 (εἰμί - am)]

1. which is

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
called, that is to say.

From the neuter of hos and the third person singular present indicative of eimi; which is -- called, which is (make), that is (to say).

see GREEK hos

see GREEK eimi

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
see hos, and eimi.

Topical Lexicon
Form and Role in Koine Greek

ὅ ἐστι literally translates “which is,” functioning as an explanatory hinge that links a preceding word, phrase, or concept to its clarification. Because it is simply the neuter relative pronoun followed by the third-person singular of “to be,” Greek lexicons catalogue it only for completeness; Strong’s assigns it number 3603, yet no verse is indexed under that number because the components are normally parsed and tagged separately (most often as ὅ ἐστιν). Even so, the construction was a familiar editorial device in both secular and sacred Hellenistic literature, signalling to the reader that a definition, translation, or theological equivalence is being supplied.

Scriptural Usage

While Strong’s 3603 registers no discrete occurrences, the same construction (usually in the full form ὅ ἐστιν) permeates the New Testament. It most often appears when a biblical author:

1. Translates a Hebrew or Aramaic name for a Greek-speaking audience
• “Immanuel … which means, ‘God with us.’ ” (Matthew 1:23)
• “Boanerges … that is, ‘Sons of Thunder.’ ” (Mark 3:17)

2. Explains the significance of a place or object
• “Siloam (which means ‘Sent’).” (John 9:7)
• “Gabbatha … which in Aramaic is ‘The Pavement.’ ” (John 19:13)

3. Equates a theological symbol with its spiritual reality
• “The rock was Christ.” (1 Corinthians 10:4; implicit ἐστίν)
• “The Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother.” (Galatians 4:26)

These explanations assure the reader that the inspired writers themselves are faithful guides to meaning, modelling how Scripture interprets Scripture.

Bridging Languages and Cultures

First-century believers lived in a multilingual world: Hebrew in the synagogue, Aramaic in daily speech, and Greek across the empire. By inserting ὅ ἐστι, the evangelists and apostles acknowledged linguistic diversity while insisting that the gospel remained one coherent message. Every time a Hebrew term is glossed for Greek ears, we see God’s concern that no language barrier obscure the truth (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:9).

Hermeneutical Significance

1. Authorial Commentary

Because the phrase represents the human writer’s own explanatory note, it carries canonical weight. When Mark writes “Corban (that is, a gift devoted to God)” (Mark 7:11), the Spirit-inspired gloss settles the meaning of Corban for all subsequent interpreters.

2. Textual Cohesion

The construction prevents readers from severing Old Testament allusions from their New Testament fulfilment. Matthew’s gloss of Isaiah’s Immanuel prophecy anchors Christology in the prophetic corpus, guarding against speculative interpretations.

3. Theological Precision

Statements such as “Christ, who is God over all” (Romans 9:5) use the same verb of being to ascribe full deity to Jesus Christ, underscoring orthodox Trinitarian doctrine.

Historical and Ministry Implications

• Translation Philosophy

The biblical use of ὅ ἐστι legitimises vernacular translation. Just as the apostles clarified Hebrew terms for Koine readers, modern translators render Greek and Hebrew into the heart language of every people group, confident that doing so follows apostolic precedent.

• Preaching and Teaching

Pastors may emulate the inspired writers by defining key terms, explaining cultural practices, and drawing theological equivalences. Clear explanation is not optional embellishment but a biblical pattern.

• Apologetics

The construction provides internal evidence that the texts were composed in real time for real audiences, countering claims that the Gospels are late, detached compositions. The writers anticipated their readers’ questions and answered them within the text.

Devotional Reflection

Whenever Scripture pauses to say “which is,” believers are invited to slow down and ponder the truth being unfolded. The simple verb “is” reminds the Church that God’s revelations are not abstract possibilities but present realities—Christ is Emmanuel, the Lamb is our Passover, grace is sufficient. The explanatory phrase therefore serves worship, doctrine, and daily discipleship by anchoring the believer’s mind to what is objectively true in Christ.

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