Strong's g1519
Understanding εἰς (eis) Strong's G1519: The Preposition that Reveals Divine Purpose and Spiritual Direction in Scripture
Pronunciation Guide: “ice” (rhymes with “nice”)
Basic Definition
Key Information
εἰς
Strong’s Entry
g1519
Strong’s G1519: The Greek preposition εἰς (eis) primarily indicates movement toward, into, or entrance to a place, state, or condition. It denotes purpose, result, or the goal of an action, often expressing the idea of penetration or motion into something. In theological contexts, εἰς frequently reveals divine intention, spiritual direction, and the ultimate purpose behind יהוה’s actions in history and the believer’s life.
Etymology and Morphology
- Preposition
- From Proto-Indo-European *h₁en (“in”)
- Found extensively in narrative, teaching, and doctrinal passages
- Appears over 1,750 times in the New Testament
- Often paired with accusative case nouns
- Common in compound words expressing direction or purpose
εἰς Morphology:
- εἰς consistently appears as a preposition without morphological variations
- Always governs the accusative case, emphasizing forward movement or direction
- In compound words such as εἰσέρχομαι (eiserchomai – “to enter into”)
Origin & History
The preposition εἰς evolved from the Proto-Indo-European root *h₁en, which meant “in.” In classical Greek literature, the distinction between εἰς (direction toward) and ἐν (position within) was clearly maintained. Homer’s epics demonstrate this distinction, with εἰς consistently showing motion toward a destination. For example, in the *Iliad*, Homer uses εἰς when describing warriors moving toward battle or ships sailing toward shore.
In the Septuagint (LXX), translators regularly employed εἰς to render the Hebrew preposition אֶל (el – “to, toward”) and occasionally לְ (le – “to, for”), particularly when expressing purpose or direction. Philo of Alexandria, in his philosophical works such as De Opificio Mundi, expanded the semantic range of εἰς beyond spatial relationships to express abstract purposes and theological concepts. This enriched understanding carried forward into New Testament usage, where it gained additional theological significance, especially in Pauline literature expressing incorporation into the Messiah.
Expanded Definitions & Translation Options
- Movement into a place, state, or condition
- Purpose or intent behind an action
- Result or outcome of an activity
- Temporal reference indicating a point in time or duration until
- Regard or reference to something (“with reference to”)
εἰς Translation Options:
- “Into” – When indicating physical or spiritual penetration into something (Matthew 3:10)
- “For” – When expressing purpose or intended use (Romans 10:10)
- “Toward” – When showing direction without necessarily implying arrival (Acts 27:40)
- “Until” – When marking a temporal endpoint (Matthew 10:22)
- “In order to” – When highlighting intentionality behind actions (Ephesians 1:14)
Biblical Usage
The preposition εἰς appears with remarkable frequency throughout the New Testament, shaping theological concepts across various genres. Its first occurrence in Matthew 2:1 (“Now after Yeshua was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came εἰς Jerusalem”) establishes its basic sense of movement toward a destination. However, its usage extends far beyond mere physical movement.
In Pauline theology, εἰς takes on profound theological significance when expressing believers’ incorporation “into Christ” (εἰς Χριστὸν) through baptism and faith. This usage forms the foundation for Paul’s doctrine of union with the Messiah, particularly in Romans and Ephesians. Similarly, the preposition appears significantly in eschatological contexts, describing movement toward divine purposes and the ultimate fulfillment of יהוה’s redemptive plan. John’s Gospel frequently employs εἰς to express belief “into” Yeshua (John 3:16), suggesting not merely intellectual assent but complete entrustment and union with Him.
- “Now after Yeshua was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came εἰς Jerusalem.” Matthew 2:1
- “I indeed baptize you with water unto εἰς repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I.” Matthew 3:11
- “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes εἰς Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
- “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized εἰς Christ Jesus were baptized εἰς His death?” Romans 6:3
- “For with the heart one believes εἰς righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made εἰς salvation.” Romans 10:10
- “He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come εἰς the unity of the faith.” Ephesians 4:11-13
- “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known εἰς your consciences.” 2 Corinthians 5:10-11
Cultural Insights
In the ancient Near Eastern world, directional language carried significant cultural and religious weight. Temples were typically built with entrances facing east, requiring worshippers to enter moving westward—symbolizing movement toward the divine presence. When the Septuagint and New Testament writers employed εἰς in religious contexts, this cultural framework would have informed their readers’ understanding, subtly emphasizing the sacred journey toward encounter with יהוה.
The Hebrew concept of מְגַמָּה (megammah), meaning “aim, purpose, or goal,” finds its Greek expression through εἰς in many New Testament passages. This reflects the Jewish understanding that history moves purposefully toward יהוה’s appointed end rather than in endless cycles as Hellenistic thought often suggested. For believers in first-century synagogues and early Messianic assemblies, this directional language reinforced their understanding of being part of a divinely orchestrated journey toward the fulfillment of covenant promises and the ultimate redemption through the Messiah Yeshua.
Theological Significance
The preposition εἰς reveals יהוה’s purposeful intention in salvation history, consistently emphasizing that divine actions move toward specific, redemptive goals. When Scripture speaks of the Messiah coming “εἰς the world” (John 9:39), it reveals not merely His arrival but His mission—He entered our reality with divine purpose and intention. This portrays a God who acts with clear direction and sovereign design rather than randomly or capriciously.
Perhaps nowhere is εἰς more theologically significant than in describing our relationship with the Messiah. When believers are baptized “εἰς Christ” (Galatians 3:27) or believe “εἰς Him” (John 3:16), the preposition indicates complete identification and incorporation—not merely association with Him but genuine union. This profound connection forms the theological foundation for our participation in His death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4), our new identity as children of God (Galatians 3:26-27), and our hope of future glorification (Romans 8:18-21). Through this single preposition, Scripture conveys the magnificent truth that salvation involves being brought fully into the life of God Himself through union with His Son.
Personal Application
Understanding εἰς challenges us to examine the direction of our spiritual lives. Just as this preposition indicates purposeful movement toward a destination, we must ask: “What is the ultimate aim of my thoughts, actions, and decisions?” The Messiah’s invitation is not merely to believe certain facts about Him but to believe “into” (εἰς) Him—to entrust ourselves completely to His person and work, allowing our very identity to be found in Him.
This directional understanding of faith transforms how we approach discipleship. Rather than seeing spiritual growth as merely accumulating religious knowledge or experiences, the concept of εἰς encourages us to view our walk with יהוה as a purposeful journey into deeper union with Him. Each spiritual discipline, each act of obedience, each moment of worship becomes movement toward our ultimate destination—complete transformation into the image of Yeshua (Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18).
Related Words
- πρός (pros, “toward, facing”) – Indicates motion toward or alongside someone or something, but without necessarily entering into it; focuses more on proximity or approach rather than penetration or incorporation. See G4314
- ἐν (en, “in, within”) – Denotes position or location within boundaries rather than movement toward; expresses the state of being inside something rather than the action of entering it. See G1722
- ἐπί (epi, “on, upon”) – Indicates position on a surface or motion onto something, rather than penetration into it; focuses more on contact or coverage than immersion. See G1909
- διά (dia, “through, because of”) – Expresses movement through something or the means by which something happens, rather than movement toward or into it. See G1223
- μετά (meta, “with, after”) – Indicates accompaniment or sequence rather than direction; focuses on association or temporal relationship rather than purposeful movement. See G3326
Did you Know?
- Did you know that while most Greek prepositions can govern multiple grammatical cases (genitive, dative, accusative), εἰς is unique in that it exclusively takes the accusative case? This grammatical consistency emphasizes its core meaning of directed movement and purpose—a linguistic reflection of divine intentionality throughout Scripture.
- Did you know that modern Greek still uses εἰς (though often in the shortened form σε) with meanings remarkably similar to its New Testament usage? This continuity across millennia demonstrates the preposition’s fundamental importance in expressing direction and purpose in Greek thought and communication.
- Did you know that the theological concept of baptism “εἰς the name” (Matthew 28:19) reflects ancient commercial language? In Greco-Roman business documents, payment made “εἰς the name” of someone meant transferring it to their account or ownership. This helps us understand baptism as not merely identifying with the Godhead but being transferred into His ownership and authority.
Remember This
εἰς invites us to see faith not as a static position but as a dynamic journey into ever-deepening relationship with יהוה, reminding us that every divine action and every genuine response of faith has direction, purpose, and an ultimate destination in Him.
Note: While this entry strives for accuracy, readers engaged in critical research should verify citations and keyword occurrences in their Bible translation of choice. For Biblical citations, the F.O.G Bible project recommends Logos Bible software.
Strong's g1519
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