σύ
you
Definition
The Greek word σύ is the second person singular personal pronoun, meaning 'you' (singular). It is used to directly address an individual, often with emphasis or contrast, as seen in Jesus' dialogue with Peter in Matthew 16:16-17 ('You are the Christ...'). In some contexts, it can carry an emphatic or exclusive force, distinguishing the addressee from others, such as in Jesus' question to John the Baptist in Matthew 11:3 ('Are you the one who is to come?'). It functions identically to the English 'you,' but its singular form is distinct from the plural 'ὑμεῖς' (hymeis, G4771).
Biblical Usage
Σύ appears frequently across the New Testament in direct address, especially in dialogues, questions, and pronouncements. It is common in the Gospels during conversations with Jesus (e.g., Matthew 3:14, 14:28) and in epistolary greetings or exhortations. A notable pattern is its use in confessional statements, such as Peter's declaration in Matthew 16:16 ('You are the Christ'). The word maintains a consistent singular referent throughout its occurrences.
Etymology
Derived directly from Proto-Indo-European *túh₂, it is the native Greek second person singular pronoun. It is cognate with Latin 'tū,' Sanskrit 'tvam,' and English 'thou.' Its form has remained stable in Greek, with the nominative σύ being the base for other cases (e.g., genitive σοῦ, dative σοί).
Semantic Range
While a basic pronoun, σύ gains theological significance in key passages where it marks a direct, personal address in divine revelation or confession. In Matthew 16:16, Peter's use of σύ ('You are the Christ') is a pivotal moment of apostolic recognition. Jesus' emphatic questions using σύ, as in Matthew 11:3 or John 21:15-17, often probe personal faith and commitment. Understanding that it is singular highlights the personal nature of biblical address—God speaks to individuals within the community.
In the Greco-Roman world, the singular 'you' (σύ) was standard for addressing one person, unlike modern English where 'you' can be singular or plural. This lack of ambiguity in Greek clarifies when a statement is directed at a specific individual versus a group. The pronoun itself carries no inherent honorific or informal status; context determines tone.
ὑμεῖς (hymeis, G5210) — The second person plural pronoun 'you' (all of you).
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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