"inferential particle, used mainly in interrogations, Lk. 18:8; Acts 8:30; Gal. 2:17*"
Definition and meaning
inferential particle, used mainly in interrogations, Lk. 18:8; Acts 8:30; Gal. 2:17*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἆρα
Historical context
Luke wrote as a historian addressing a Greek audience. He carefully interviewed eyewitnesses and arranged events in order. The social and economic realities he describes — Roman taxation, Jewish religious hierarchy, the marginalization of women and the poor — are consistent with first-century Judea under Roman administration.
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 ara (G687) across the King James Bible.
I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
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Common questions
Strong's G687 (ara) is a Greek word that means: inferential particle, used mainly in interrogations, Lk. 18:8; Acts 8:30; Gal. 2:17* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word ara (G687) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G687 is ara, a Greek word defined as: inferential particle, used mainly in interrogations, Lk. 18:8; Acts 8:30; Gal. 2:17*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
ara is a Greek word found in the New Testament.