Strong's Lexicon
gar: for, because, since
Original Word:γάρ
Part of Speech:Conjunction
Transliteration:gar
Pronunciation:gar
Phonetic Spelling:(gar)
Definition:for, because, since
Meaning:for.
Word Origin:A primary particle
Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries:While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for the Greek conjunction "gar," similar causal conjunctions in Hebrew include "כִּי" (ki), which can also mean "for" or "because."
Usage:The Greek conjunction "γάρ" (gar) is primarily used to express causation or explanation. It often introduces a reason or explanation for a preceding statement, functioning similarly to the English words "for," "because," or "since." In the New Testament, "gar" is frequently used to connect thoughts, provide reasons, or clarify statements, thereby enhancing the logical flow of the text.
Cultural and Historical Background:In the context of Koine Greek, the language of the New Testament, conjunctions like "gar" were essential for constructing complex arguments and narratives. The use of "gar" reflects the logical and rhetorical style of writing prevalent in the Greco-Roman world, where authors often sought to persuade or instruct their audience through reasoned discourse. Understanding these conjunctions is crucial for interpreting the theological and moral teachings of the New Testament.
HELPS Word-studies
1063gár (a conjunction) –for. While "for" is usually the best translation of1063 (gár), its sense is shaped by thepreceding statement – the "A" statement which precedes the1063 (gár) statement in the "A-B"unit.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina contr. of ge ara (verily then)
Definitionfor, indeed (a conjunc. used to express cause, explanation, inference or continuation)
NASB Translationactually (1), after (1), after all (1), although (1), because (2), indeed (1), since (1), then (2), though (1), well (3), what (1), why (3), yes (2).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 1063: γάργάρ, a conjunction, which according to its composition,
γέ and
ἄρα (equivalent to
ἀρ), is properly a particle of affirmation and conclusion, denoting
truly therefore, verily as the case stands, "the thing is first affirmed by the particle
γέ, and then is referred to what precedes by the force of the particle
ἄρα (
Klotz ad Devar. ii. 1, p. 232; cf. Kühner, ii., p. 724; (
Jelf, § 786;
Winers Grammar, 445f (415f))). Now since by a new affirmation not infrequently the reason and nature of something previously mentioned are set forth, it comes to pass that, by the use of this particle, either the reason and cause of a foregoing statement is added, whence arises the causal or argumentative force of the particle, for (Latin
nam,
enim; German
denn); or some previous declaration is explained, whence
γάρ takes on an explicative force:
for, the fact is, namely (Latin
videlicet, German
nämlich). Thus the force of the particle is either conclusive, or demonstrative, or explicative and declaratory; cf. Rost in
Passow's Lexicon, i., p. 535ff; Kühner, ii., pp. 724ff, 852ff; (cf. Liddell and Scott, under the word). The use of the particle in the N. T. does not differ from that in the classics.
I. Its primary and original Conclusive force is seen in questions (in Greek writings also in exclamations) and answers expressed with emotion; where, according to the connexion, it may be freely represented byassuredly, verily, forsooth, why, then, etc.:ἐνγάρτούτῳ etc. ye profess not to know whence he is; herein then is assuredly a marvellous thing,why, herein etc.John 9:30;οὐγάρ,ἀλλά etc. by no means in this state of things,nay verily, but etc.Acts 16:37; certainly, if that is the case,1 Corinthians 8:11LTTrWH. It is joined to interrogative particles and pronouns:μήγάρ etc.John 7:41 (do ye then suppose that the Christ comes out of Galilee? What, doth the Christ, etc.?);μήγάρ ...οὐκ,1 Corinthians 11:22 ("what! since ye are so eager to eat and drink,have ye not," etc.?);τίςγάρ,τίγάρ:Matthew 27:23 (τίγάρκακόνἐποίησεν, ye demand that he be crucified like a malefactor,Why, what evil hath he done?);Matthew 9:5 (your thoughts are evil;which then do ye suppose to be the easier, etc.?);Matthew 16:26;Matthew 23:17, 19;Luke 9:25;Acts 19:35;τίγάρ; forτίγάρἐστι,what then? i. e. what, under these circumstances, ought to be the conclusion?Philippians 1:18 (cf. Ellicott at the passage);πῶςγάρ,Acts 8:31; cf. Klotz, the passage cited, p. 245ff; Kühner, ii., p. 726; (Jelf, ii., p. 608);Winer's Grammar, 447 (416). Here belongs also the vexed passageLuke 18:14ἤγάρἐκεῖνος (soGTTr marginal reading, butLWHTr textπαῥἐκεῖνον) or do ye suppose then that that man went down approved of God? cf.Winer's Grammar, 241 (226).
II. It adduces the Cause or gives the Reason of a preceding statement or opinion;
1. universally:Matthew 2:5;Matthew 6:24;Mark 1:22;Mark 9:6;Luke 1:15, 18;Luke 21:4;John 2:25;Acts 2:25;Romans 1:9, 11;1 Corinthians 11:5;Hebrews 2:8;1 John 2:19;Revelation 1:3, and very often. InJohn 4:44γάρ assigns the reason why now at length Jesus betook himself into Galilee; for the authority denied to a prophet in his own country (Galilee), he had previously to seek and obtain among strangers; cf.John 4:45; Meyer (yet see edition 6 (Weiss)) at the passage; Strauss, Leben Jesu, i. 725 edition 3; Neander, Leben Jesu, p. 385f edition 1 (American translation, pp. 100, 168); Ewald, Jahrbb. d. Biblical Wissensch. x., p. 108ff.
2. Often the sentences are connected in such a way that either some particular statement is established by a general proposition (`the particular by the universal'), as inMatthew 7:8;Matthew 13:12;Matthew 22:14;Mark 4:22, 25;John 3:20;1 Corinthians 12:12;Hebrews 5:13, etc.; or what has been stated generally, is proved to be correctly stated by a particular instance (`the universal by the particular'):Mark 7:10;Luke 12:52, 58;Romans 7:2;1 Corinthians 1:26;1 Corinthians 12:8.
3. To sentences in which something is commanded or forbidden,γάρ annexes the reason why the thing must either be done or avoided:Matthew 1:20;Matthew 2:20;Matthew 3:9;Matthew 7:2;Romans 13:11;Colossians 3:3;1 Thessalonians 4:3;Hebrews 2:2, and very often. InPhilippians 2:13γάρ connects the verse withPhilippians 2:12 thus: work out your salvation with most intense earnestness, for nothing short of this accords with God's saving efficiency within your souls, to whom you owe both the good desire and the power to execute that desire.
4. To questions,γάρ annexes the reason why the question is asked:Matthew 2:2 (we ask this with good reason, for we have seen the star which announces his birth);Matthew 22:28;Romans 14:10;1 Corinthians 14:9;Galatians 1:10.
5. Frequently the statement which contains the cause is interrogative;τίς,τίγάρ:Luke 22:27;Romans 4:3;Romans 11:34;1 Corinthians 2:16;1 Corinthians 7:16;Hebrews 1:5;Hebrews 12:7;τίγάρ forτίγάρἐστι,Romans 3:3 (cf. Fritzsche at the passage; (Ellicott onPhilippians 1:18));ἵνατίγάρ,1 Corinthians 10:29;ποίᾳγάρ,James 4:14 (WH text omits;Tr bracketsγάρ).
6. Sometimes in answers it is so used to make good the substance of a preceding question that it can be renderedyea, assuredly:1 Corinthians 9:10;1 Thessalonians 2:20; cf. Kühner, ii., p. 724.
7. Sometimes it confirms, not a single statement, but the point of an entire discussion:Romans 2:25 (it is no advantage to a wicked Jew, for etc.). On the other hand, it may so confirm but a single thought as to involve the force of asseveration and be renderedassuredly, yea:Romans 15:27 (εὐδόκησανγάρ); so alsoκαίγάρ,Philippians 2:27.
8. It is often said that the sentence of whichγάρ introduces the cause, or renders the reason, is not expressed, but must be gathered from the context and supplied in thought. But that this ellipsis is wholly imaginary is clearly shown byKlotz ad Devar. ii. 1, p. 236f, cf.Winer's Grammar, 446f (415f). The particle is everywhere used in reference to something expressly stated. Suffice it to append a very few examples; the true nature of many others is shown under the remaining heads of this article: InMatthew 5:12 beforeγάρ some supply 'nor does this happen to you alone'; but the reason is added why a great reward in heaven is reserved for those who suffer persecution, which reason consists in this, that the prophets also suffered persecution, and that their reward is great no one can doubt. InRomans 8:18 some have supplied 'do not shrink from this suffering with Christ'; but on the use ofγάρ here, see III.
a. below. OnMark 7:28 (TTrWH omit;L bracketsγάρ), where beforeκαίγάρ some supply 'but help me,' or 'yet we do not suffer even the dogs to perish with hunger,' see 10 b. below. InActs 9:11 beforeγάρ many supply 'he will listen to thee'; but it introduces the reason for the preceding command.
9. When in successive statementsγάρ is repeated twice or thrice, or even four or five times, either a. one and the same thought is confirmed by as many arguments, each having its own force, as there are repetitions of the particle (Meyer denies the coordinate use ofγάρ in the N. T., asserting that the first is argumentative, the second explicative, see his commentaries on the passage to follow, also onRomans 8:6):Matthew 6:32;Romans 16:18f; or b. every succeeding statement contains the reason for its immediate predecessor, so that the statements are subordinate one to another:Mark 6:52;Matthew 16:25-27;John 3:19;John 5:21;Acts 2:15;Romans 4:13-15;Romans 8:2f, 5;1 Corinthians 3:3;1 Corinthians 9:15-17 (where five times inGLTTrWH);1 Corinthians 16:7;James 2:10, etc.; or c. it is repeated in a different sense:Mark 9:39-41;Romans 5:6f (where cf.Winer's Grammar, 453 (422));Romans 10:2-5 (four times);James 4:14 (WH text omits;Tr brackets the firstγάρ,LWH marginal reading omit the second).
10.καίγάρ (on which cf. Kühner, ii., p. 854f;Winer's Grammar, 448 (417); (Ellicott on2 Thessalonians 3:10)) is a.for, and truly (etenim,namque, (the simple renderingfor is regarded as inexact by many; cf. Meyer on2 Corinthians 13:4 and see Hartung, Partikeln, i. 137f;Krüger, § 69, 32, 21)):Mark 14:70;Luke 22:37 (LTr bracketsγάρ);1 Corinthians 5:7;1 Corinthians 11:9;1 Corinthians 12:13.
b.for also, for even (nametiam):Matthew 8:9;Mark 10:45;Luke 6:32;John 4:45;1 Corinthians 12:14, etc. InMark 7:28καίγάρ (RGL brackets)τάκυνάρια etc. the woman, by adducing an example, confirms what Christ had said, but the example is of such a sort as also to prove that her request ought to be granted.τέγάρfor indeed (Germandennja):Romans 7:7; cf. Fritzsche at the passage;Winer's Grammar, 448 (417).ἰδούγάρ, see underἰδού.
III. It serves to explain, make clear, illustrate, a preceding thought or word:for equivalent tothat is, namely;
a. so that it begins an exposition of the thing just announced (cf.Winer's Grammar, 454f (423f)):Matthew 1:18 (RG);;Luke 11:30;Luke 18:32. InRomans 8:18γάρ introduces a statement setting forth the nature of theσυνδοξασθῆναι just mentioned.b. so that the explanation is intercalated into the discourse, or even added by way of appendix:Matthew 4:18;Mark 1:16;Mark 2:15;Mark 5:42;Romans 7:1;1 Corinthians 16:5. InMark 16:4 the informationἦνγάρμέγαςσφόδρα is added to throw light on all that has been previously said (inMark 16:3f) about the stone.
IV. As respects position:γάρ never occupies the first place in a sentence, but the second, or third, or even the fourth (ὁτοῦΘεοῦγάρυἱός,2 Corinthians 1:19 — according to true text). Moreover,not the number but the nature of the word after which it stands is the point to be noticed, Hermann onSophocles Phil. 1437.
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
and, as, because, forA primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles) -- and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
Forms and Transliterations
γαρ γάρ γὰρ γαρέμ γασβαρήνου δὲ de dè gar gár gàrLinks
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