ἀμφότερος G0297
Both — adjective/pronoun indicating two parties or things taken together as a pair
The adjective ἀμφότεροι (amphoteroi) means 'both,' referring to two entities considered together as a unit. In the New Testament it frequently highlights the togetherness or shared fate of paired items or persons: both new wine and old wineskins are preserved (Matt 9:17), both wheat and tares grow together (Matt 13:30), and both blind guides and their followers fall into the pit (Matt 15:14). Paul uses it theologically in Ephesians 2:14, 16, 18 to declare that Christ has made 'both' — Jew and Gentile — one. Spanish 'ambos/ambas' and French 'les deux' both capture the dual inclusiveness.
Senses
1. both — An adjective or pronoun meaning 'both,' indicating two persons, groups, or things taken together. Used in parables to pair outcomes (both wineskins preserved, Matt 9:17; both wheat and weeds left to grow, Matt 13:30; both blind leaders and followers falling, Matt 15:14). Paul employs it with theological force in Ephesians 2:14-18, where Christ reconciles 'both' Jew and Gentile into one new humanity. Spanish 'ambos' and French 'les deux' reflect the inclusive duality. Luke pairs Zechariah and Elizabeth as 'both' righteous (Luke 1:6-7). 14×
AR["الاِثْنَيْنِ", "الِاثنَينِ", "كِلانا", "كِلاهُما", "كِلتا", "كِلَاهُمَا", "كِلَيهِما", "كِلَيْهِمَا", "لِكِلَيهِما"]·ben["উভয়", "উভয়কে", "উভয়ে", "উভয়েই", "দুজনে"]·DE["beide", "ἀμφοτέρους", "ἀμφότερα", "ἀμφότεροι"]·EN["both", "to-both"]·FR["les-deux", "tous-les-deux"]·heb["לִשְׁנֵיהֶם", "עַל-שְׁנֵיהֶם", "שְׁנֵיהֶם", "שְׁנֵינוּ", "שְׁתֵּיהֶם"]·HI["दोनो", "दोनों", "दोनों-को", "दोनोंको।", "दोनोन", "दोनोन-को"]·ID["kedua", "keduanya", "keduanya,", "keduanya."]·IT["entrambi"]·jav["kalih-kalihipun", "kalih-kalihipun.", "kalih-perangan", "kekalih", "kekalihipun", "kekalihipun,"]·KO["둘-다", "둘-다,", "둘-다를", "둘-다에게", "양쪽"]·PT["a-ambos", "a-ambos,", "ambos", "ambos,"]·RU["оба", "оба,", "обе", "обое", "обоим", "обоих", "обоих,"]·ES["a-ambos", "ambas", "ambas-cosas", "ambos"]·SW["vyote", "vyote-viwili", "wote-wawili", "zote-mbili"]·TR["ikimiz-de", "ikisi-de", "ikisini-de"]·urd["دونوں", "دونوں-کو", "معاف-کیا", "گریں-گے"]
Matt 9:17, Matt 13:30, Matt 15:14, Luke 1:6, Luke 1:7, Luke 5:7, Luke 6:39, Luke 7:42, Acts 8:38, Acts 19:16, Acts 23:8, Eph 2:14 (+2 more)
Related Senses
G3588 1. definite article (18298×)H0853 1. definite direct object marker (10915×)G2532 1. (8312×)H3068 1. YHWH (the divine name) (6522×)H0834a 1. relative pronoun (who/which/that) (4839×)H3588a 1. causal: because, for (3498×)G1161 1. and (2806×)H3478 1. Israel (proper name and nation) (2507×)G4771 1. you (plural address) (1853×)H1931 1. personal pronoun he/she/it (1431×)G3739 1. relative pronoun who/which/that (1149×)H1732 1. David (proper name) (1075×)H2088 1. this, this one (demonstrative) (1059×)G1063 1. (1047×)G3778 1. this thing, these things (1003×)H???? 2. (1002×)G2424 1. (924×)G3754 1. that (content clause) (881×)H2009 1. presentative particle: behold, look (881×)H0589 1. I (first person singular pronoun) (874×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ἀμφότερος (Locrian dialect ἀμφόταρος Refs, α, ον, (ἄμφω) rare in singular, either, i.e. both of two (opposed to ἑκάτερος each one of two), ἀμφοτέρας κοινὸν αἴας common to either land, Refs 4th c.BC+; ποίημα ἢ πάθος ἢ ἀμφότερον or partaking of both, Refs 5th c.BC+ __2 Refs 8th c.BC+ as adverb, followed by τε.. κα; ἀ. βασιλεύς τ᾽ ἀγαθὸς κρατερός τ᾽ αἰχμητής both together, prince as well as warrior,…