Α, α, ἄλφα, τό, the first letter of the Greek alphabet, opening the series which the letter ω closes. Hence the expression ἐγώ εἰμι τὸ Α [L T Tr WH ἄλφα] καὶ τὸ Ω [Ὦ L WH]
Rev. i. 8,
11 Rec., which is explained by the appended words ἡ ἀρχὴ καὶ τὸ τέλος,
xxi. 6, and by the further addition ὁ πρῶτος καὶ ὁ ἔσχατος,
xxii. 13. On the meaning of the phrase cf.
Rev. xi. 17;
Is. xli. 4;
xliv. 6;
xlviii. 12; [esp. B. D. Am. ed. p. 73].
Α, when preficed to words as an inseparable syllable, is
1. privative (στερητικόν), like the Lat.
in-, the Eng.
un-, giving a negative sense to the word to which it is preficed, as ἀβαρής; or signifying what is contrary to it as ἄτιμος, ἀτιμόω; before vowels generally ἀν-, as ἀναίτιος.
2. copulative (ἀθροιστικόν), akin to the particle ἅμα [cf. Curtis § 598], indicating community and fellowship, as in ἀδελφός, ἀκόλουθος. Hence it is
3. intensive (ἐπιτατικόν), strengthening the force of terms, like the Lat.
con in composition; as ἀτενίζω fr. ἀτενής [yet cf. W. 100 (95)]. This use, however, is doubted or denied now by many [e. g.
Lob. Path. Element. i. 34 sq.]. Cf. Kühner i. 741, § 339 Anm. 5; [Jelf § 342 δ];
Bttm. Gram. § 120 Anm. 11; [
Donaldson, Gram. p. 344; New Crat. §§ 185, 213; L. and S. s. v.].*