Alethinos (from aletheia, 'truth') means true in the sense of genuine, real, and ultimate — not merely 'not false' but 'the authentic original of which all else is copy or shadow.' Its 28 New Testament occurrences concentrate heavily in the Johannine literature, where the adjective becomes a theological signature. Jesus is the 'true light' that enlightens everyone (John 1:9), offers 'true bread from heaven' surpassing the manna (John 6:32), and declares himself the 'true vine' of which Israel was only the figure (John 15:1). The Father is the one 'true God' (John 17:3; 1 John 5:20), and genuine worshipers worship in spirit and truth as 'true worshipers' (John 4:23). In Revelation, God's judgments are declared 'true and just' (Rev 15:3; 16:7; 19:2), and the rider on the white horse is called 'Faithful and True' (Rev 19:11). Hebrews contrasts the earthly tabernacle with the 'true tent' in heaven (Heb 8:2; 9:24). Spanish 'verdadero' and German 'wahrhaftig' both reflect the weight of genuine rather than merely factual.