ἴσως
perhaps
Definition
ἴσως is an adverb meaning 'perhaps' or 'it may be,' expressing uncertainty or possibility. In its single New Testament occurrence in Luke 20:13, it conveys the hesitant hope of a vineyard owner, who says, 'Perhaps they will respect my son.' The word can also carry the classical sense of 'equally' or 'in like manner,' though this meaning is not explicitly used in the biblical text. It functions to introduce a tentative thought or a scenario whose outcome is not assured.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 20:13, within Jesus' Parable of the Wicked Tenants. It is spoken by the vineyard owner, expressing his uncertain hope that the tenants will respect his son after they have mistreated his servants. The usage highlights a moment of deliberation and fragile expectation in the narrative.
Etymology
Derived from the adjective ἴσος (isos, G2470), meaning 'equal.' The adverbial form ἴσως originally meant 'equally' or 'in like manner.' Over time, it developed the more common sense of 'perhaps,' indicating a possibility held as equal to other outcomes. This shift reflects a move from expressing equality to expressing balanced uncertainty.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, ἴσως in Luke 20:13 carries theological weight in Jesus' parable, which allegorizes God's sending of prophets and finally His Son. The owner's 'perhaps' underscores the divine patience and the genuine, though uncertain, opportunity given for repentance before judgment. It highlights the tension between God's gracious offer and human free will to reject it, enriching our understanding of God's longsuffering character.
In ancient Greek rhetoric and literature, ἴσως was a common particle to express cautious assertion or hypothetical reasoning. Its use in Luke's parable reflects a realistic, human moment of calculation, which would be familiar to a Greco-Roman audience accustomed to such language in philosophical or narrative discourse about uncertain futures.
τάχα (tacha, G5029) — also 'perhaps,' but with a nuance of 'by chance' or 'possibly.' μήποτε (mēpote, G3379) — 'lest perhaps,' introducing a negative purpose or apprehension.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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