What is Strong's Concordance?
What is Strong’s Concordance?
Strong’s Concordance is a reference tool that assigns a unique number to every Hebrew word in the Old Testament and every Greek word in the New Testament, allowing readers to study original language meanings without learning Hebrew or Greek. Created by James Strong in 1890, it indexes 8,674 Hebrew words and 5,624 Greek words, with each word linked to its dictionary definition and every occurrence in Scripture.
Definition
A concordance lists every occurrence of every word in the Bible. Strong’s Concordance goes further by assigning each original language word a number (H1-H8674 for Hebrew, G1-G5624 for Greek), enabling users to trace how a single Hebrew or Greek word is translated differently across passages.
How Strong’s Numbers Work
Every Hebrew and Greek word receives a unique identifier:
- H430 = אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) = God/gods
- H157 = אָהַב (ahab) = to love
- G26 = ἀγάπη (agape) = unconditional love
- G5485 = χάρις (charis) = grace
When you look up a Strong’s number, you find:
- The original Hebrew or Greek word
- Transliteration (how to pronounce it)
- Definition and meaning
- Every verse where that word appears
- How it’s translated in different contexts
Why Strong’s Numbers Matter
1. Multiple English Words, One Original Word
The Greek word “agape” (G26) appears 116 times but is translated as “love,” “charity,” “dear,” and “beloved.” Strong’s numbers reveal these are all the same underlying concept.
2. One English Word, Multiple Original Words
The English word “love” translates multiple Greek words:
- G26 (agape) - unconditional, sacrificial love
- G5368 (phileo) - friendship, affection
- G2309 (storge) - family love
Strong’s numbers distinguish between them.
3. Word Study Without Language Training
You can trace “grace” (G5485) through every New Testament occurrence, seeing how Paul, Peter, and John each use it—without reading Greek.
Common Strong’s Numbers Every Bible Student Should Know
Hebrew (Old Testament)
| Number | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| H430 | Elohim | God (plural form) |
| H3068 | YHWH | LORD (covenant name) |
| H157 | Ahab | Love |
| H2617 | Chesed | Lovingkindness, mercy |
| H6664 | Tsedeq | Righteousness |
Greek (New Testament)
| Number | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| G26 | Agape | Unconditional love |
| G5485 | Charis | Grace |
| G4102 | Pistis | Faith |
| G1343 | Dikaiosyne | Righteousness |
| G3056 | Logos | Word |
How to Use Strong’s Concordance
- Find a word you want to study (e.g., “grace”)
- Look up the Strong’s number in the concordance (G5485)
- Read the definition and root meaning
- Find all occurrences of that word in Scripture
- Compare contexts to understand the full meaning
Strong’s Concordance vs. Other Tools
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Strong’s Concordance | Word-by-word index with numbers |
| Bible Dictionary | Definitions of biblical terms |
| Commentary | Verse-by-verse explanation |
| Lexicon | In-depth word analysis |
| Interlinear Bible | Original text with translation |
Digital Strong’s Resources
Modern Bible software makes Strong’s accessible:
- Blue Letter Bible - Free online Strong’s lookup
- Bible Hub - Interlinear with Strong’s numbers
- Logos Bible Software - Advanced word study tools
- Scriptured - Strong’s integration with concordance search
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know Hebrew or Greek to use Strong’s?
No. That’s the entire point. Strong’s numbers let you access original language insights without formal language training. You look up the number, read the definition, and study how the word is used.
What’s the difference between Strong’s Concordance and an exhaustive concordance?
Strong’s IS an exhaustive concordance—it lists every occurrence of every word. The unique addition is the numbering system that links English words to their Hebrew/Greek originals.
Are Strong’s numbers in every Bible translation?
Strong’s was created for the KJV. However, many modern tools map Strong’s numbers to other translations (ESV, NIV, NASB). Digital Bible software usually provides Strong’s numbers regardless of translation.
How accurate is Strong’s for word study?
Strong’s provides a starting point for word study, not the final word. For deep study, supplement with lexicons (BDAG for Greek, BDB for Hebrew) and commentaries. Strong’s definitions are brief; lexicons provide nuance.
What are “root words” in Strong’s?
Many Hebrew/Greek words derive from root words. Strong’s shows these relationships. For example, multiple Greek words for “righteousness” share the root “dik-” (G1342, G1343, G1344).
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SCRIPTURED is a trademark of Hywel LLC.