"both. Only plural in the NT."
Definition and meaning
both. Only plural in the NT.
In the original Greek the word is written: ἀμφότεροι
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
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 amphoteroi (G297) across the King James Bible.
Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.
And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?
And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G297 (amphoteroi) is a Greek word that means: both. Only plural in the NT. It appears 14 times in the King James Bible.
The word amphoteroi (G297) appears 14 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G297 is amphoteroi, a Greek word defined as: both. Only plural in the NT.. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
amphoteroi is a Greek word found in the New Testament.