"first letter of Greek alphabet, Alpha, Rev. 1:8.; 21:6; 22:13*"
Definition and meaning
first letter of Greek alphabet, Alpha, Rev. 1:8.; 21:6; 22:13*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἄλφα
Historical context
Domitian required people across the empire to address him as Dominus et Deus — Lord and God. Christians who refused to burn incense before the emperor's image faced economic exclusion and imprisonment. The book was written in apocalyptic imagery that believers would recognize but Roman authorities would not — a letter of resistance written to people being crushed by the most powerful empire on earth.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of alpha (G1) across the King James Bible.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
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Common questions
Strong's G1 (alpha) is a Greek word that means: first letter of Greek alphabet, Alpha, Rev. 1:8.; 21:6; 22:13* It appears 4 times in the King James Bible.
The word alpha (G1) appears 4 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1 is alpha, a Greek word defined as: first letter of Greek alphabet, Alpha, Rev. 1:8.; 21:6; 22:13*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
alpha is a Greek word found in the New Testament.