Theta (Θ/θ) – New Testament Greek words that start with theta

• Old Testament Hebrew
• New Testament Greek

Quick reference

Greek Name:

θῆτα

English Name:

theta

Pronunciation:

thā’-tä

Upper-case Letter:

Θ

Lower-case Letter:

θ

Speech Sound:

consonant

Numerical Value:

9

Pronunciation guide

In Koine Greek, the letter Theta is pronounced as a voiceless dental fricative, similar to the “th” in the English word “think.” This contrasts with modern Greek, where theta has evolved to a sound more like the “th” in “that.”

Numerical significance

In the Greek numeral system (isopsephy), Theta represents the number nine (9). Being one short of ten (which often symbolizes wholeness or perfection), it can represent the final stage before a return to unity or a new cycle.

Cultural and symbolic meaning

The letter Theta is derived from the Phoenician letter Teth, which may have originally depicted a wheel or a circle. In a broader cultural sense, the circle can symbolize continuity, wholeness, or a cycle.