Was, Wast, Were, Wert - Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
Was, Wast, Were, Wert
* Note: When not part of another verb, or phrase, these translate eimi, to be," e.g., Matthew 1:18, or the following:(a) ginomai, "to become," e.g., Matthew 8:26;
(b) huparcho, "to exist," especially when referring to an already existing condition, e.g., Luke 8:41; Acts 5:4 (2nd part); Acts 16:3; Acts 27:12; Romans 4:19, AV, "when he was" (RV, "he being");
(c) echo, "to have," e.g., Acts 12:15;
(d) apecho, "to be away, to be distant," e.g., Luke 7:6; Luke 24:13;
(e) mello, "to be about to," e.g., Luke 19:4; Acts 21:27, Acts 21:37, AV (RV, "was about to");
(f) sumbaino, "to come to pass, happen," e.g., Acts 21:35;
(g) in Galatians 4:28, the preposition kata, "according to," is rendered "was," in the phrase "as Isaac was," lit., "like Isaac;" as Isaac's birth came by Divine interposition, so does the spiritual birth of every believer.