Skip to content
The Historic Faith
Strong's Concordance
Greek Word Study

Strong's G686 ἄρα (ara)

Ara means “haply” — full meaning, definition, and every linked Bible usage across the indexed canon.

Same number, other testament: Strong's H686 — atsar (“store up”) in the Hebrew Bible.

Strong's Number G686
Language Greek
Linked Usages 77
Books 23

Strong's G686 Quick Answer

Strong's G686 ἄρα (ara) is a Greek Strong's word-study entry. ara (ar'-ah) prt. 1. a particle denoting an inference more or less decisive (as follows) {Often used in connection with other particles, especially G1065 or G3767 (after) or G1487 (before)} It has 77 linked Bible usages across 23 books. Visible English usage signals include follow, more, and others. Indexed coverage on this page includes New Testament, Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, and Deuterocanonical / Apocrypha.

Meaning
ara (ar'-ah) prt. 1. a particle denoting an inference more or less decisive (as follows) {Often used in connection with other particles, especially G1065 or G3767 (after) or G1487 (before)}
Usage
77 linked usages
Books
23 indexed books
Corpus
New Testament, Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, and Deuterocanonical / Apocrypha
Usage Words
follow, more, and others

Meaning and Definition

ara (ar'-ah) prt. 1. a particle denoting an inference more or less decisive (as follows) {Often used in connection with other particles, especially G1065 or G3767 (after) or G1487 (before)} [probably from G142 (through the idea of drawing a conclusion)] KJV: haply, (what) manner (of man), no doubt, perhaps, so be, then, therefore, truly, wherefore Root(s): G142 See also: G1065, G3767, G1487, G687

Original Word
ἄρα
Transliteration
ara
Derivation
Root: αἴρω R1: 142
Morphology
particle

Across Lexicons

How independent scholarly lexicons define Strong's G686. Each definition is shown with its source so you can compare and cite the original reference works.

Extended Strong's Greek Lexicon (Abbott-Smith based)

therefore

Usage: ἄρα, illative particle, expressing a more subjective or informal inference than οὖν, then: prop. (as in cl.), the second word in the sentence, Rom.7:21 8:1, Gal.3:7; ἐπεὶ ἄρα, 1Co.7:14 (with another word between) 5:10; as the first word, Luk.11:48, Act.11:18, Rom.10:17, 1Co.15:18, 2Co.5:15 7:12, Heb.4:9; so prop. in apodosis after protasis with εἰ, Mat.12:28, Luk.11:20, Gal.2:21 3:29 5:11, Heb.12:8 (κενὸν ἄρα), 1Co.15:14;

often in interrogations, direct and indirect, τίς (τί) ἄρα, Mat.18:1 19:25, 27 24:45, Mrk.4:41, Luk.1:66 8:25 12:42 22:23, Act.12:18; εἰ ἄρα, Mrk.11:13, Act.8:22; εἴπερ ἄρα, 1Co.15:15; οὐκ ἄρα, Act.21:38; μήτι ἄρα, 2Co.1:17; in strengthened forms, ἄρα γε, ἄραγε, Mat.7:20 17:26, Act.17:27, and more frequently ἄρα οὖν (Epp. Paul.), so then, Rom.5:18 7:3, 25 8:12 9:16, 18 14:19, Gal.6:10, Eph.2:19, 1Th.5:6, 2Th.2:15 (Bl., §77, 2; 78, 5; MM, see word).† (AS)

STEPBible · Tyndale House, Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

How Strong's G686 Is Translated

The English word each shown verse actually uses to render ara, taken from the interlinear word alignment (the same word underlined in the excerpts below). Where a rendering is used more than once, the count is shown.

How Strong's G686 Usage Compares

Indexed coverage includes New Testament, Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, and Deuterocanonical / Apocrypha. Each section below keeps corpus counts and sample passages visible so readers can compare the word across contexts instead of reading one flat concordance list.

  • The largest indexed corpus on this page is New Testament with 43 linked usages.
  • This page lets readers compare New Testament usage with Septuagint / Greek Old Testament usage, which is a key THF advantage over narrower Strong's pages.
  • Deuterocanonical / Apocrypha rows are counted separately so readers can decide how those texts relate to the main word study.

In the Septuagint (LXX)

Strong's G686 (ἄρα) appears 37 times in the Greek Septuagint — the Old Testament the New Testament authors quoted.

Sample Septuagint occurrences:

Read the full Greek Septuagint interlinear with Strong's →

Strong's G686 by Corpus

Indexed usage grouped by testament and extended corpus so readers can compare this word across the Bible, Septuagint, deuterocanonical books, and 1 Enoch where present.

Strong's G686 in the New Testament

43 indexed usages in New Testament.

Matthew 7:20 KJV

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Matthew 12:28 KJV

But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

Matthew 17:26 KJV

Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.

Strong's G686 in the Septuagint / Greek Old Testament

30 indexed usages in Septuagint / Greek Old Testament.

Genesis 18:3 Septuagint / Brenton

And he said, Lord, if indeed I have found grace in thy sight, pass not by thy servant.

Genesis 20:11 Septuagint / Brenton

And Abraham said, Why I said, Surely there is not the worship of God in this place, and they will slay me because of my wife.

Genesis 26:9 Septuagint / Brenton

And Abimelech called Isaac, and said to him, Is she then thy wife? why hast thou said, She is my sister? And Isaac said to him, I did so, for I said, Lest at any time I die on her account.

Strong's G686 in the deuterocanonical books / Apocrypha

4 indexed usages in Deuterocanonical / Apocrypha.

1 Maccabees 9:8 Septuagint / Brenton

Nevertheless unto them that remained he said, Let us arise and go up against our enemies, if peradventure we may be able to fight with them.

4 Maccabees 1:3 Septuagint / Brenton

If, then, reasoning appears to hold the mastery over the passions which stand in the way of temperance, such as gluttony and lust,

Wisdom of Solomon 5:6 Septuagint / Brenton

Therefore have we erred from the way of truth, And the light of righteousness hath not shined unto us, And the sun of righteousness rose not upon us.

Usage Excerpts

First 77 linked usage excerpts for Strong's G686.

Genesis 18:3 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
And he said, Lord, if indeed I have found grace in thy sight, pass not by thy servant.
Genesis 20:11 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
And Abraham said, Why I said, Surely there is not the worship of God in this place, and they will slay me because of my wife.
Genesis 26:9 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
And Abimelech called Isaac, and said to him, Is she then thy wife? why hast thou said, She is my sister? And Isaac said to him, I did so, for I said, Lest at any time I die on her account.
Numbers 22:11 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
Behold, a people has come forth out of Egypt, and has covered the face of the land, and it has encamped near to me; and now come, curse it for me, if indeed I shall be able to smite it, and cast it out of the land.
Job 23:3 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
Who would then know that I might find him, And come to an end of the matter?
Job 31:6 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
(For I am weighed in a just balance, And the Lord knows my innocence):
Job 31:8 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
Then let me sow, and let others eat; And let me be uprooted on the earth.
Job 31:10 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
Then let my wife also please another, And let my children be brought low.
Job 31:22 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
Let then my shoulder start from the bladebone, And my arm be crushed off from the elbow.
Job 31:28 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
Let this also then be reckoned to me as the greatest iniquity: For I should have lied against the Lord Most High.
Job 31:30 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
Let then mine ear hear my curse, And let me be a byword among my people in my affliction.
Job 31:40 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
Then let the nettle come up to me instead of wheat, And a bramble instead of barley. And Job ceased speaking.
Job 38:21 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
I know then that thou wert born at that time, And the number of thy years is great.
Job 40:14 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
Then will I confess that thy right hand can save thee.
Psalms 7:5 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
If I have requited with evil those who requited me with good; May I then perish empty by means of my enemies.
Psalms 7:6 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; And let him trample my life on the ground, And lay my glory in the dust. Pause.
Psalms 30:23 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
But I said in my extreme fear, I am cast out from the sight of thine eyes: Therefore thou didst hearken, O Lord, to the voice of my supplication When I cried to thee.
Psalms 57:2 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
If ye do indeed speak righteousness, Then do ye judge rightly, ye sons of men.
Psalms 57:12 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
And a man shall say, Verily then there is a reward for the righteous: Verily there is a God that judges them in the earth.
Psalms 72:13 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
And I said, Verily in vain have I justified my heart, And washed my hands in innocency.
Psalms 123:3 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
Verily they would have swallowed us up alive, When their wrath was kindled against us:
Psalms 123:4 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
Verily the water would have drowned us, Our soul would have gone under the torrent.
Psalms 123:5 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
Yea, our soul would have gone under The overwhelming water.
Psalms 138:11 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
When I said, Surely the darkness will cover me; Even the night was light in my luxury.
Isaiah 56:3 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
Let not the stranger who attaches himself to the Lord, say, Surely the Lord will separate me from his people: and let not the eunuch say, I am a dry tree.
Jeremiah 4:10 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
And I said, O sovereign Lord, verily thou hast greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, There shall be peace; whereas behold, the sword has reached even to their soul.
Ezekiel 2:5 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
Whether then indeed they shall hear or fear (for it is a provoking house), yet they shall know that thou art a prophet in the midst of them.
Ezekiel 2:7 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
And thou shalt speak my words to them, whether they will hear or fear: for it is a provoking house.
Ezekiel 3:11 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
And go thy way, go in to the captivity, to the children of thy people, and thou shalt speak to them, and say to them, Thus saith the Lord; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.
Hosea 12:12 Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, Septuagint / Brenton
If Gilead exists not, then the chiefs in Gilead when they sacrificed were false, and their altars were as heaps on the ground of the field.
Matthew 7:20 New Testament, KJV
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Matthew 12:28 New Testament, KJV
But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
Matthew 17:26 New Testament, KJV
Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
Mark 4:41 New Testament, KJV
And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
Mark 11:13 New Testament, KJV
And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
Luke 1:66 New Testament, KJV
And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.
Luke 8:25 New Testament, KJV
And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.
Luke 11:20 New Testament, KJV
But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
Luke 11:48 New Testament, KJV
Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.
Acts 8:22 New Testament, KJV
Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
Acts 11:18 New Testament, KJV
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Acts 12:18 New Testament, KJV
Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.
Acts 17:27 New Testament, KJV
That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
Romans 5:18 New Testament, KJV
Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
Romans 7:3 New Testament, KJV
So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
Romans 7:21 New Testament, KJV
I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Romans 7:25 New Testament, KJV
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Romans 8:1 New Testament, KJV
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:12 New Testament, KJV
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Romans 9:16 New Testament, KJV
So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
Romans 9:18 New Testament, KJV
Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
Romans 10:17 New Testament, KJV
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 14:12 New Testament, KJV
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Romans 14:19 New Testament, KJV
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
1 Corinthians 5:10 New Testament, KJV
Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
1 Corinthians 7:14 New Testament, KJV
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
1 Corinthians 15:14 New Testament, KJV
And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
1 Corinthians 15:15 New Testament, KJV
Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
1 Corinthians 15:18 New Testament, KJV
Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
2 Corinthians 1:17 New Testament, KJV
When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?
2 Corinthians 5:14 New Testament, KJV
For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
2 Corinthians 7:12 New Testament, KJV
Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.
Galatians 2:21 New Testament, KJV
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Galatians 3:7 New Testament, KJV
Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
Galatians 3:29 New Testament, KJV
And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 4:31 New Testament, KJV
So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
Galatians 5:11 New Testament, KJV
And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
Galatians 6:10 New Testament, KJV
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Ephesians 2:19 New Testament, KJV
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
1 Thessalonians 5:6 New Testament, KJV
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
2 Thessalonians 2:15 New Testament, KJV
Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
Hebrews 4:9 New Testament, KJV
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Hebrews 12:8 New Testament, KJV
But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
1 Maccabees 9:8 Deuterocanonical / Apocrypha, Septuagint / Brenton
Nevertheless unto them that remained he said, Let us arise and go up against our enemies, if peradventure we may be able to fight with them.
4 Maccabees 1:3 Deuterocanonical / Apocrypha, Septuagint / Brenton
If, then, reasoning appears to hold the mastery over the passions which stand in the way of temperance, such as gluttony and lust,
Wisdom of Solomon 5:6 Deuterocanonical / Apocrypha, Septuagint / Brenton
Therefore have we erred from the way of truth, And the light of righteousness hath not shined unto us, And the sun of righteousness rose not upon us.
Wisdom of Solomon 6:20 Deuterocanonical / Apocrypha, Septuagint / Brenton
Therefore the desire of wisdom bringeth to a kingdom.

All Indexed Usage Links

Every indexed verse link for Strong's G686, grouped by book.

Genesis 3 usages, Septuagint / Greek Old Testament
Numbers 1 usage, Septuagint / Greek Old Testament
Job 10 usages, Septuagint / Greek Old Testament
Psalms 10 usages, Septuagint / Greek Old Testament
Isaiah 1 usage, Septuagint / Greek Old Testament
Jeremiah 1 usage, Septuagint / Greek Old Testament
Ezekiel 3 usages, Septuagint / Greek Old Testament
Hosea 1 usage, Septuagint / Greek Old Testament
Matthew 3 usages, New Testament
Mark 2 usages, New Testament
Luke 4 usages, New Testament
Acts 4 usages, New Testament
Romans 11 usages, New Testament
1 Corinthians 5 usages, New Testament
2 Corinthians 3 usages, New Testament
Galatians 6 usages, New Testament
Ephesians 1 usage, New Testament
1 Thessalonians 1 usage, New Testament
2 Thessalonians 1 usage, New Testament
Hebrews 2 usages, New Testament
1 Maccabees 1 usage, Deuterocanonical / Apocrypha
4 Maccabees 1 usage, Deuterocanonical / Apocrypha
Wisdom of Solomon 2 usages, Deuterocanonical / Apocrypha

Strong's G686 FAQ

What does ara (ἄρα) mean?

Ara (Strong's G686) is a Greek word most simply glossed "haply". ara (ar'-ah) prt. 1. a particle denoting an inference more or less decisive (as follows) {Often used in connection with other particles, especially G1065 or G3767 (after) or G1487 (before)}

How many times is ara (ἄρα) used in the Bible?

This page currently indexes 77 linked usages for Strong's G686 across 23 books.

Where can I study ara (ἄρα) in context?

Use the linked verse references on this page to study Strong's G686 in context. The indexed coverage includes New Testament, Septuagint / Greek Old Testament, and Deuterocanonical / Apocrypha.

What English words translate ara (ἄρα)?

The visible usage excerpts most often surface English words such as follow, more, and others. These are scanning signals from the displayed verses, not replacements for the original-language definition.

Does Strong's G686 appear in the Septuagint or deuterocanonical books?

Yes. The current local index includes 30 in Septuagint / Greek Old Testament and 4 in Deuterocanonical / Apocrypha for Strong's G686, with linked reader references where each row is available.