Definition and Etymology:
Iota (Greek: ἰῶτα, iōta) is the ninth letter of the Greek alphabet. In the context of biblical literature, it is often used metaphorically to denote something very small or insignificant. The term "iota" has been adopted into English to signify a tiny amount or the smallest part of something.

Biblical Reference:
The most notable biblical reference to "iota" is found in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Matthew. In Matthew 5:18 , Jesus states, "For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." Here, "jot" is translated from the Greek "iota," emphasizing the enduring and unchanging nature of God's Law down to the smallest detail.

Theological Significance:
In this passage, Jesus underscores the importance of the Law and the Prophets, affirming that every part of the Scripture is significant and will be fulfilled. The use of "iota" highlights the precision and completeness of God's Word, suggesting that even the smallest letter or stroke is imbued with divine authority and purpose. This reflects the belief in the inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture, a cornerstone of conservative Christian theology.

Cultural and Historical Context:
In the Jewish tradition, the Law (Torah) was meticulously preserved and revered. The scribes and teachers of the Law paid great attention to every letter and stroke, ensuring that the Scriptures were copied accurately. Jesus' reference to "iota" would have resonated with His audience, who understood the meticulous care given to the transmission of the sacred texts.

Application in Christian Doctrine:
The mention of "iota" in Matthew 5:18 serves as a reminder to Christians of the importance of adhering to the teachings of the Bible in their entirety. It calls believers to respect and uphold the authority of Scripture, recognizing that every part of it is vital to understanding God's will and purpose. This passage encourages a comprehensive approach to biblical interpretation, where no part of Scripture is dismissed or overlooked.

Related Concepts:
· Jot and Tittle: The phrase "jot and tittle" is often used to refer to the smallest details of the written word. In Hebrew, a "tittle" is a small stroke or point in writing, similar to a serif in English letters. Together, "jot and tittle" emphasize the completeness and precision of the biblical text.
· Inerrancy of Scripture: The belief that the Bible, in its original manuscripts, is without error and completely accurate in all it affirms. The reference to "iota" supports this doctrine by illustrating the precision with which God's Word is preserved.

Conclusion:
The use of "iota" in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for the enduring and unchanging nature of God's Word. It underscores the belief in the divine inspiration and authority of Scripture, encouraging believers to uphold and cherish every part of the biblical text.1. (n.) A very small amount; also the ninth letter of the Greek alphabet corresponding with the English i.

2. (n.) A very small quantity or degree; a jot; a particle.

2503. iota -- iota
... 2502b, 2503. iota. 2504 . iota. Part of Speech: Indeclinable Letter (Noun)
Transliteration: iota Phonetic Spelling: (ee-o'-tah) Short ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2503.htm - 7k

Monoimus' "Iota;" his Notion of the "Son of Man. "
... Book VIII. Chapter VI."Mono??mus' "Iota;" His Notion of the "Son of Man.". ... [932] The
iota with a little mark placed above, signifies ten; thus, i = 10. ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter vi monoimus iota his notion.htm

"My Word Will not Pass Away"
... GREEK SMALL LETTER GAMMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON
WITH DASIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER MU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH PERISPOMENI ...
/.../my word will not pass.htm

The Necessity of Faith for Justification
... The word {GREEK SMALL LETTER PI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL
LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL ...
/.../pohle/grace actual and habitual/section 1 the necessity of 2.htm

Appendix (E). Text of the Concluding Scholion of victor of ...
... {GREEK CAPITAL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH PSILI} {GREEK SMALL
LETTER DELTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH VARIA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA ...
/.../appendix e text of the.htm

Notanda.
... lib. xi, cap.1. P.5, last line. {GREEK CAPITAL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER
IOTA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER GAMMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL ...
//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/notanda.htm

The Necessity of Other Preparatory Acts Besides Faith
... LETTER NU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER
GAMMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH PERISPOMENI ...
/.../pohle/grace actual and habitual/section 2 the necessity of.htm

Chapter viii.
... rather confirms it by perfecting it; and accordingly He follows up with the statement,
"Verily I say unto you, [76] Till heaven and earth pass, one iota or one ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter viii.htm

The Unclean Spirits.
... There are two words rendered devils in the New Testament, viz.: {GREEK SMALL LETTER
DELTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the unclean spirits.htm

Monoimus.
... And (Mono??mus asserts) that the Son of man is iota, which stands for ten, the principal
number in which is (inherent) the subsistence of all number (in general ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter xiii monoimus.htm

Appendix (F). On the Relative Antiquity of the Codex Vaticanus (B) ...
... SIGMA}{GREEK CAPITAL LETTER TAU}{GREEK CAPITAL LETTER RHO}{GREEK CAPITAL LETTER
THETA}{GREEK CAPITAL LETTER ETA}, {GREEK CAPITAL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK CAPITAL ...
/.../appendix f on the relative.htm

Iota (1 Occurrence)
... English i. 2. (n.) A very small quantity or degree; a jot; a particle.
Multi-Version Concordance Iota (1 Occurrence). Matthew 5:18 ...
/i/iota.htm - 6k

Jot (1 Occurrence)
... Or Iota, the smallest letter of the Greek alphabet, used metaphorically or proverbially
for the smallest thing (Matthew 5:18); or it may be = yod, which is the ...
/j/jot.htm - 8k

Tittle (2 Occurrences)
... least point. Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) A particle; a minute part; a
jot; an iota. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TITTLE. tit ...
/t/tittle.htm - 8k

Text (5 Occurrences)
... sigma; capital omicron for capital theta; capital alpha for capital lambda or capital
delta; capital pi (P) for capital tau and capital iota (written together ...
/t/text.htm - 73k

Manuscripts
... sigma; capital omicron for capital theta; capital alpha for capital lambda or capital
delta; capital pi (P) for capital tau and capital iota (written together ...
/m/manuscripts.htm - 39k

Malefactor (2 Occurrences)
... sigma; capital omicron for capital theta; capital alpha for capital lambda or capital
delta; capital pi (P) for capital tau and capital iota (written together ...
/m/malefactor.htm - 49k

Juttah (3 Occurrences)
... Levitical city (Joshua 21:16). In some versions of Septuagint it occurs
(Iota) in 1 Chronicles 6:57. In the Eusebius, Onomasticon ...
/j/juttah.htm - 9k

Jutah (1 Occurrence)
... Levitical city (Joshua 21:16). In some versions of Septuagint it occurs
(Iota) in 1 Chronicles 6:57. In the Eusebius, Onomasticon ...
/j/jutah.htm - 8k

Logia
... At the top right-hand corner of one page are the letters iota, alpha, used as numerals,
that is 11, and it has been suggested that this, with other ...
/l/logia.htm - 19k

Whit (5 Occurrences)
... (n.) The smallest part or particle imaginable; a bit; a jot; an iota; --
generally used in an adverbial phrase in a negative sentence. ...
/w/whit.htm - 8k

What is apostasy and how can I recognize it? | GotQuestions.org

Does the Qur'an replace the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does IHS mean? | GotQuestions.org

Iota: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus