Pi (Π/π) – New Testament Greek words that start with pi

• Old Testament Hebrew
• New Testament Greek

Quick reference

Greek Name:

πῖ

English Name:

pi

Pronunciation:

pē’

Upper-case Letter:

Π

Lower-case Letter:

π

Speech Sound:

consonant

Numerical Value:

80

Pronunciation guide

In Koine Greek, the letter Pi is pronounced as a voiceless bilabial plosive, produced by pressing the lips together and releasing a burst of air. Its sound is similar to the “p” in “pan.”

Numerical significance

In the Greek numeral system (isopsephy), Pi represents the number eighty (80). While eighty as a number doesn’t hold specific symbolic significance in Greek culture, it is notable for being a higher, even round number, often associated with maturity or a greater extent in terms of quantity or age.

Cultural and symbolic meaning

The Greek letter Pi is derived from the Phoenician letter Pe, which originally represented a mouth (symbolizing speech, expression, or a mouth's opening). As the symbol evolved into the Greek Pi, it retained the connection to expression but transitioned from a concrete image to a more abstract representation. The shape of Pi, with its two parallel lines connected by a horizontal line, also brings to mind notions of structure and stability, echoing the original concept of an opening or an entrance, yet abstracted into a form that conveys solidity and foundation in writing.