← G1117 G1119 →

γονεύς

goneús

G1118 noun

SILEX Entry

Root γον- to beget, to produce offspring, to bring into being

Definition

A biological or legal parent; one who begets or brings forth offspring. In extension, refers collectively to one's parents (i.e., father and mother), and occasionally to ancestors in a broader sense. The word's primary sense is that of 'parent', but it does not specify gender and may refer either to the father, the mother, or both.

Semantic Range

parent, parents, progenitor, ancestor (rare or extended), begetter

Root / Etymology

Derived from the stem γον- (relating to begetting or birth), itself connected with γίγνομαι ('to become, to be born, to happen').

Historical & Contextual Notes

Used in both singular and plural, more commonly in the plural (γονεῖς) to denote 'parents.' The word is attested in Classical Greek, where it often refers collectively to both parents, but can sometimes refer broadly to forebears or ancestors. In Koine and New Testament usage, γονεύς typically denotes one's immediate biological parents, as in references to honoring one's parents (e.g., Matthew 15:4, Ephesians 6:1). In certain Hellenistic and Second Temple Jewish contexts, can also encompass adoptive or legal parents, but the usual meaning is the literal parent. Some English translations render it with the plural 'parents,' as the singular 'parent' is much less common in English usage. The term is distinguished from πατήρ ('father') and μητήρ ('mother'), which specify gender.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the base of γίνομαι; a parent:--parent.

Root Family

γονεύς (goneus) — begetter, parent, progenitor, one who brings forth

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G1118-01 γονεῖς goneis N ACC M PL parents parents 14
G1118-03 γονεῦσιν goneusin N DAT M PL parents to parents 5
G1118-02 γονέων goneon N GEN M PL parents of parents 1

Occurrences in Scripture

20 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G1118-01 Matthew 10:21 γονεῖς goneis N ACC M PL parents
G1118-01 Mark 13:12 γονεῖς goneis N ACC M PL parents parents
G1118-01 Luke 2:27 γονεῖς goneis N ACC M PL parents parents
G1118-01 Luke 2:41 γονεῖς goneis N NOM M PL parents parents
G1118-01 Luke 2:43 γονεῖς goneis N NOM M PL parents parents
G1118-01 Luke 8:56 γονεῖς goneis N NOM M PL parents parents
G1118-01 Luke 18:29 γονεῖς goneis N ACC M PL parents parents
G1118-02 Luke 21:16 γονέων goneon N GEN M PL parents of parents
G1118-01 John 9:2 γονεῖς goneis N NOM M PL parents parents
G1118-01 John 9:3 γονεῖς goneis N NOM M PL parents parents
← G1117 Greek Lexicon G1119 →