The Odd Use of the Word "Even"

Sometimes LDS speakers in General Conference use the word "even" in an unfamiliar way. One phrase is "even Jesus Christ". If you search the usage of it in the scriptures you will find many. As I have thought about it, I think it might mean something similar to the phrase, "the very same". So if someone says "even Jesus Christ", it may mean "the very same Jesus Christ I have told you about."

The MacMillan dictionary captures this definition

Even is used for emphasis mainly before a word, a phrase, or a clause beginning with "as," "if," or "though." When emphasizing verbs, even comes before an ordinary verb: They even served champagne at breakfast. But even comes after an auxiliary verb, a modal verb, or the verb "to be": She doesn't even know his name. ♦ Some computers can even talk to you.

Sometimes even is used after a word for emphasis: São Paulo is a huge city, larger even than New York. ♦ The task might be difficult, impossible even.

Related dictionary definitions

• even ADJECTIVE
• even VERB
• even NOUN
• even up PHRASAL VERB
• even out PHRASAL VERB
• even-handed ADJECTIVE
• even money NOUN
• even-tempered ADJECTIVE
• break-even point NOUN
• even odds NOUN at even money
• be even
• break even
• even number
• even the score
• on an even keel
• it's even money

more dictionary definitions

1. 
   

   1 used for showing that you are saying something that is surprising
   

   It always feels cold in this room, even in summer.

   Even the dog refused to eat it.

   Lucy's face brightened a little – she even managed to smile.

   not even: 
   

   He never stopped working, not even at Christmas.

   They didn't even offer me a glass of water.

   even now (=used for saying it is surprising that something still continues): 
   

   Even now, after all these years, he cannot mention hername without crying.

   even then (=used for saying that something is surprising after what has happened): 
   

   I sat down and explained the rules to him, but eventhen he continued to do as he pleased.

   Thesaurus entry for this meaning of even
2. 2

   used for emphasizing that although something is big, good, bad, etc.,something else is bigger, better, worse, etc.
   

   She admits things are bad, but argues they were even worse under theprevious government.

   If anything, local people are treated even more harshly than foreigners.

   Thesaurus entry for this meaning of even
3. 3

   used for adding a more extreme word or phrase to emphasize what youhave just said
   

   Her latest novel was very good, maybe even brilliant.

   The argument might have ended in violence – murder, even.

   Thesaurus entry for this meaning of even

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