Eta (Η/η) – New Testament Greek words that start with eta

• Old Testament Hebrew
• New Testament Greek

Quick reference

Greek Name:

ἦτα

English Name:

eta

Pronunciation:

ā’-tä

Upper-case Letter:

Η

Lower-case Letter:

η

Speech Sound:

vowel (long)

Numerical Value:

8

Pronunciation guide

In Koine Greek, the letter Eta is pronounced as a long “e” sound, similar to the “ee” in “meet.” This is distinct from its pronunciation in modern Greek, where it sounds more like the “e” in “bet.” Eta also signifies the lengthening of the vowel sound, which is an essential feature in the phonetic dynamics of the language.

Numerical significance

Eta corresponds to the number eight (8) in the Greek numerical system (isopsephy). The number eight can symbolize new beginnings or renewal, as it follows seven, a number often associated with completeness or wholeness.

Cultural and symbolic meaning

Eta evolved from the Phoenician letter Heth, which originally might have depicted a fence or an enclosure, suggesting separation or a boundary.