οὖν

Οὖν is a versatile Greek particle that serves primarily to mark a transition, drawing a conclusion, or indicating a consequence. Its broad semantic range means it can be rendered in English by a variety of conjunctions and adverbs such as "therefore," "then," "so," "accordingly," or "now." While it does not carry significant theological weight on its own, it plays a crucial role in shaping the logical flow and emphasis of biblical arguments and narratives. It often signals a move from a premise to a conclusion, or from a general statement to a specific application.

In the New Testament, οὖν is frequently used to introduce a statement that follows logically from what has just been said. For example, it can introduce an exhortation that is based on a preceding theological truth, or a narrative action that is a direct result of a previous event. This makes it an important word for tracing the argumentative structure of epistles and the progression of events in the Gospels and Acts. Its function is less about adding new information and more about reinforcing the relationship between existing pieces of information, guiding the reader through the text's reasoning.

While not directly paralleled by a single Old Testament Hebrew word, its function often overlaps with that of Hebrew particles that connect clauses and indicate logical sequence or result. The Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, utilizes οὖν to render various Hebrew conjunctions and adverbs that convey a sense of logical progression or consequence. Understanding οὖν helps to grasp the intended connections and emphasis within both individual sentences and larger sections of the biblical text.