The third-person imperative of 'to be,' expressing permission, command, or wish: 'let it be so,' 'may he be.' This form grants existence, allows a state to continue, or invokes a condition. In prayer and blessing it carries performative force—not just describing but enacting. Mary's 'let it be to me according to your word' uses a related construction. Greek dialects show characteristic variations (ἔστω is more common; ἤτω appears in later texts). The imperative mood makes being itself a matter of volition and divine decree.