"3rd person sing of the unused ἔχειμι (#1997) used impersonally, it is possible; it is permitted, it is lawful, Mt. 12:2, 4; Mk. 3:4; Lk. 6:9; Acts 22:25; 1 Cor. 6:12"
Definition and meaning
3rd person sing of the unused ἔχειμι (#1997) used impersonally, it is possible; it is permitted, it is lawful, Mt. 12:2, 4; Mk. 3:4; Lk. 6:9; Acts 22:25; 1 Cor. 6:12
In the original Greek the word is written: ἔξεστιν
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 exestin (G1832) across the King James Bible.
But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.
How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?
How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.
Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?
How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?
And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.
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Common questions
Strong's G1832 (exestin) is a Greek word that means: 3rd person sing of the unused ἔχειμι (#1997) used impersonally, it is possible; it is permitted, it is lawful, Mt. 12:2, 4; Mk. 3:4; Lk. 6:9; Acts 22:25; 1 Cor. 6:12 It appears 26 times in the King James Bible.
The word exestin (G1832) appears 26 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1832 is exestin, a Greek word defined as: 3rd person sing of the unused ἔχειμι (#1997) used impersonally, it is possible; it is permitted, it is lawful, Mt. 12:2, 4; Mk. 3:4; Lk. 6:9; Acts 22:. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
exestin is a Greek word found in the New Testament.