Phi (Φ/φ) – New Testament Greek words that start with phi

• Old Testament Hebrew
• New Testament Greek

Quick reference

Greek Name:

φῖ

English Name:

phi

Pronunciation:

fē’

Upper-case Letter:

Φ

Lower-case Letter:

φ

Speech Sound:

consonant

Numerical Value:

500

Pronunciation guide

In Koine Greek, the letter Phi was a voiceless labiodental fricative, produced by placing the bottom lip against the upper teeth and forcing air through the narrow opening. It is pronounced like the “ph” in “phone.”

Numerical significance

In the Greek numeral system, Phi represents the number five hundred (500). In various cultural and religious contexts, large round numbers like five hundred can symbolize completeness or a significant totality.

Cultural and symbolic meaning

Phi originates from the Phoenician letter Pe, which represented a mouth and by extension, could symbolize speech, breath, or life.