Definition: This sacred Greek phrase means “He who is, and who was, and who is coming” – a divine title exclusively used for יהוה (Yahweh) in Revelation, expressing God’s eternal existence across all time. It’s the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew name “I AM” from Exodus 3:14, revealing the Messiah as the eternal God who transcends time while actively working in history.
What Does ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος Mean?
Strong’s G3801: This extraordinary Greek phrase represents one of the most profound divine titles in Scripture, expressing the eternal nature of יהוה (Yahweh) through three participles that span all dimensions of time. The phrase literally translates as “He who is, and who was, and who is coming,” but its theological significance transcends simple temporal categories. In Revelation, this title appears as a divine name that connects directly to the Hebrew “I AM” (אֶֽהְיֶ֖ה – ehyeh) revealed to Moses at the burning bush. Unlike human existence that moves through time, this title declares that God simultaneously exists in perfect present tense (ὁ ὢν), perfect past reality (ὁ ἦν), and continuous future action (ὁ ἐρχόμενος). The phrase emphasizes not just God’s eternal existence, but His active engagement with creation throughout all ages.
Key Insight: God doesn’t just exist timelessly – He actively participates in every moment of history while remaining eternally unchanged.
Where Does ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος Come From?
- Part of Speech: Divine title phrase (combination of participles)
- Root Words: ὁ (definite article) + ὢν (present participle of εἰμί “to be”) + ἦν (imperfect of εἰμί) + ἐρχόμενος (present participle of ἔρχομαι “to come”)
- Language Origin: New Testament Greek, rooted in Hebrew tetragrammaton tradition
- Primary Usage: Exclusive divine title for יהוה in Revelation (5 occurrences)
- Hebrew Equivalents: אֶֽהְיֶ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶֽהְיֶ֑ה (ehyeh asher ehyeh) – “I AM WHO I AM”
What Is the Historical and Cultural Context of ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος?
This magnificent phrase emerges from the intersection of Hebrew theological thought and Greek linguistic expression during the first century. The construction reflects the Septuagint translators’ creative approach to rendering the sacred tetragrammaton יהוה (YHWH) into Greek. In Exodus 3:14 LXX, when God reveals His name to Moses as אֶֽהְיֶ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶֽהְיֶ֑ה (“I AM WHO I AM”), the Greek translators used ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ὤν (“I am the One who is”), establishing the pattern of using participial forms to express divine eternality.
The phrase’s unusual grammar reflects both reverence and theological precision. The middle component ὁ ἦν breaks conventional Greek syntax by placing the definite article before a finite verb – a construction that would normally be impossible. However, the author of Revelation (traditionally John) deliberately crafted this expression to mirror the participial structure of the surrounding elements while maintaining the imperfect tense’s theological significance. The imperfect ἦν emphasizes continuous past existence rather than a point in time, perfectly capturing the concept of eternal being.
Cultural Significance in Jewish Thought
Within Second Temple Judaism, the divine name had become so sacred that it was rarely pronounced aloud. Jews substituted “Adonai” (Lord) when reading יהוה in Hebrew texts, and Greek-speaking Jews used κύριος (kyrios) in the Septuagint. However, Revelation’s unique phrase goes beyond mere substitution to create a theological exposition of the divine name’s meaning. The tripartite structure (past-present-future) reflects Hebrew understanding of God’s sovereignty over all time while emphasizing His personal involvement in history.
Historical Summary: This phrase represents the culmination of centuries of Jewish theological reflection on God’s eternal nature, expressed through innovative Greek grammar.
How Is ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος Used in the Bible?
The phrase appears exclusively in the book of Revelation, occurring five times with slight variations that emphasize different aspects of God’s eternal nature. Each occurrence deepens our understanding of how the divine nature operates across time. In Revelation 1:4, the phrase introduces God as the source of grace and peace, emphasizing His faithful presence with His people. Revelation 1:8 connects this title with “Alpha and Omega,” showing God as both the beginning and end of all things.
The most significant usage appears in Revelation 4:8, where the four living creatures continuously worship using this title. Here the phrase becomes part of heaven’s eternal liturgy, suggesting that recognizing God’s timeless nature is central to proper worship. Revelation 11:17 and Revelation 16:5 use the title in contexts of divine judgment, showing that God’s eternal nature guarantees the certainty of His justice.
Usage Summary: Each occurrence emphasizes God’s reliability across time – He can be trusted because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Key Biblical Cross-References:
- Revelation 1:4 – “Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come [ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος]”
- Revelation 1:8 – “I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come [ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος], the Almighty”
- Revelation 4:8 – “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come [ὁ ἦν καὶ ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος]”
- Revelation 11:17 – “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was [ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν]”
- Revelation 16:5 – “You are righteous, who is and who was [ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν], the Holy One”
How Should ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος Be Translated?
Primary Meanings:
- “He who is, and who was, and who is coming”
- “The One who exists, existed, and comes”
- “Him who is and who was and who is to come”
- “The Being who is, was, and continues coming”
Translation Tip: Context determines whether to emphasize God’s eternal existence or His active involvement in history – both are essential to the phrase’s meaning.
ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος Translation Options:
| Translation | Context | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| “Who is, and who was, and who is to come” | Most English versions | Maintains temporal progression and participial structure |
| “The One existing, who existed, and coming” | Literal/interlinear | Preserves Greek participial forms and unusual grammar |
| “He who is, was, and comes” | Contemporary versions | Simplifies while maintaining essential meaning |
| “The Being across all time” | Paraphrase | Captures theological essence in modern language |
| “The Eternal One actively present” | Interpretive | Emphasizes both timelessness and engagement |
What Does ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος Teach Us About God?
This sacred title reveals that יהוה (Yahweh) transcends human categories of time while remaining intimately involved in history. Unlike the Greek philosophical concept of static perfection, this phrase presents God as dynamically eternal – simultaneously existing in perfect present tense (ὁ ὢν), having always existed in the past (ὁ ἦν), and actively coming into our future (ὁ ἐρχόμενος). The phrase teaches that God’s faithfulness spans all generations because His nature is unchanging, yet He continuously moves toward His people in love and redemption.
The theological implications are staggering: every promise God made in the past remains valid because He who made them still “is” in the fullest sense. Every hope we have for the future is secure because He “is coming” – not as a distant deity, but as the same faithful God who has always been present with His people. This divine name assures us that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is identical to the God who sent Yeshua the Messiah and who will return to establish His kingdom.
Theological Core: God’s eternal nature guarantees His faithfulness – He cannot change because He encompasses all of time simultaneously.
How Can I Apply ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος to My Life?
When anxiety about the future overwhelms you, remember that the One “who is coming” is the same faithful God “who was” with your spiritual ancestors and “who is” present with you right now. This divine title invites you to live with confidence that spans generations – the God who delivered Israel from Egypt, who sent the Messiah, and who will return in glory is working in your circumstances today. His eternal nature means that no situation in your life catches Him off guard, and no challenge you face is beyond His sovereign control.
Let this magnificent name reshape how you pray and worship. When you address יהוה (Yahweh) as “the One who is, and who was, and who is coming,” you’re acknowledging that He holds your past, present, and future in perfect unity. Your past failures are covered by His eternal mercy, your present struggles are sustained by His unchanging strength, and your future hopes rest secure in His coming kingdom.
Self-Examination Questions:
• Do I trust God’s faithfulness across all seasons of my life?
• How does God’s eternal nature change my perspective on current difficulties?
• Am I living with expectation of His continued activity in history?
What Words Are Similar to ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος?
- Ἄλφα καὶ Ὦ (alpha kai ō) – “Alpha and Omega” – Emphasizes God as beginning and end of all things, while ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος emphasizes His presence across time – See G1
- ἀρχὴ καὶ τέλος (archē kai telos) – “Beginning and End” – Focuses on God’s role in creation and consummation rather than continuous existence – See G746
- ὁ ζῶν (ho zōn) – “The Living One” – Emphasizes current life and vitality, while our phrase encompasses all temporal dimensions – See G2198
- κύριος παντοκράτωρ (kyrios pantokratōr) – “Lord Almighty” – Emphasizes power and sovereignty, often used with our phrase to show God’s authority over time – See G2962
- ἐγώ εἰμι (egō eimi) – “I AM” – The first-person equivalent of the eternal existence expressed in third person by our phrase – See G1473
Did You Know?
- What does ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος mean in modern Greek? Modern Greek speakers would understand this as “the one who is and who was and who is coming,” but the theological weight of the ancient construction is largely lost outside biblical contexts.
- How did ancient Jewish translators handle ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος? The Septuagint translators creatively used ὁ ὤν (“the One who is”) to translate God’s self-revelation in Exodus 3:14, establishing the precedent for Revelation’s expanded tripartite formula.
- What’s the difference between ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος and other divine titles? Unlike titles that describe God’s attributes or actions, this phrase describes His very mode of existence – He doesn’t just act in time, He encompasses all time within His being.
- Why does the Bible use ὁ ἦν as a finite verb with an article? This unusual grammar (placing ὁ before ἦν) breaks normal Greek rules to create a parallel structure with the participles, emphasizing that God’s past existence is as substantial and definite as His present being.
- How does ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος relate to the concept of eternal life? While believers receive eternal life as a gift, only God exists as eternal life – this phrase describes the source from which all other eternal existence flows.
- What causes confusion about God’s relationship to time today? Modern people often think of eternity as “a very long time” rather than understanding it as God’s transcendence of temporal categories altogether – this phrase teaches that God simultaneously encompasses past, present, and future.
- The phrase appears in slightly different word orders in different verses of Revelation – In Revelation 4:8, it appears as ὁ ἦν καὶ ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος (placing “who was” first), while later references sometimes omit “who is to come,” showing how the divine nature adapts its self-revelation to different contexts while remaining essentially unchanged.
Remember This
ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος reveals that יהוה (Yahweh) is not bound by time yet chooses to work within history – the same faithful God who has always been is actively coming to fulfill every promise He has made.
