Bible Lexicons

Α, ἄλφα, τό, the first letter of the Greek alphabet, opening the series which the letter omega ω closes. Hence, the expression ἐγώ εἰμί τό Α (L T Tr WH ἄλφα) καί τό Ω (Ὦ L WH), Revelation 1:8, 11 Rec., which is explained by the appended words ἡ ἀρχή καί τό τέλος, Revelation 21:6, and by the further addition ὁ πρῶτος καί ὁ ἔσχατος, Revelation 22:13. On the meaning of the phrase cf. Revelation 11:17; Isaiah 41:4; Isaiah 44:6; Isaiah 48:12; (especially B. D. American edition, p. 73). Α, when prefixed to words as an inseparable syllable, is:

1. privative (στερητικόν), like the Latinin-, the English un-, giving a negative sense to the word to which it is prefixed, as ἀβαρής; or signifying what is contrary to it, as ἄτιμος, ἀτιμόω; before vowels generally αν(, as in ἀναίτιος.

2. copulative (ἀθροιστικόν), akin to the particle ἅμα (cf. Curtius, § 598), indicating community and fellowship, as in ἀδελφός, ἀκόλουθος. Hence, it is:

3. intensive (ἐπιτατικόν), strengthening the force of terms, like the Latincon in composition; as ἀτενίζω from ἀτενής (yet cf. Winers Grammar, 100 (95)). This use, however, is doubted or denied now by many (e. g. Lob. Path. Element. i. 34f). Cf. Kühner, i. 741, § 339 Anm. 5; (Jelf, § 342 δ.); Alexander Buttmann (1873) Gram. § 120 Anm. 11; (Donaldson, Gram., p. 334; New Crat. §§ 185, 213; Liddell and Scott, under the word).

Α , α , ἄλφα

(q.v.), τό , indecl., alpha,

the first letter of the Greek alphabet. As a numeral, = 1, α , = 1000.

As a prefix, it appears to have at least two and perhaps three distinct senses:

1. ἀ - (before a vowel, ἀν -) negative, as in ἄ -γιωστος , ἄ -δικος .

2. ἁ -, ἀ - copulative, indicating community and fellowship, as in ἁ -πλοῦς , ἀ -κολουθέω , ἀ -δελφός .

3. An intensive force (LS, s. a), as in ἀ -τενίζω is sometimes assumed (but v. Boisacq, s.v.).

Ἄλφα , τό , indecl. (see A), Alpha: Revelation 1:8; Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:13 (v. Swete, in 11.).†