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θεός

theós

G2316 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A divine being or deity; in monotheistic or polytheistic contexts, a supernatural, immortal entity regarded as possessing powers beyond those of humans. With the article (ὁ θεός), typically refers to the supreme divinity, especially in monotheistic Israelite/Judean contexts; also, a general term for a god or divine power in Greco-Roman religion. By extension, occasionally used to refer to one exercising divine prerogatives or authority (e.g., magistrate or judge), or used in strong idiomatic phrases to intensify meaning.

Semantic Range

god, deity, divine being, the supreme being, supernatural power; metaphorically a magistrate or one with divine authority; intensified/idiomatic sense (as in 'exceeding'); plural (θεοί): gods, deities

Root / Etymology

The root is θεός, possibly pre-Greek in origin; etymology uncertain. No certain Indo-European derivation has been established. Related forms occur in Mycenaean Greek (te-o / θεός), classical Greek, and are cognate with the feminine θεά (goddess).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, θεός is a generic term for a god or deity, whether a particular god of the Greek pantheon or a divinity in general. In the Hellenistic and Roman periods, usage expands to include references to deified humans (emperors, heroes) or personifications. In the Septuagint (LXX), θεός is consistently used to render Hebrew אלהים ('elohim, generic term for god or gods, and Israelite deity in particular), applying both to singular and plural references depending on context. In some LXX passages, it renders Hebrew words referring to high-ranking humans (e.g., judges in Exodus 21:6). In the New Testament, with the article (ὁ θεός), most often designates the God of Israel as the supreme object of monotheistic devotion, inheriting this sense from Septuagint usage. Without the article or in plural (θεοί), can refer to other divine beings, idols, or the traditional gods of the Greco-Roman world. Rarely, in Greco-Roman or Hellenistic usage, the term can refer to humans invested with divine authority. Standard English renderings such as 'God' or 'god' do not always communicate the range from generic supernatural being, to specific deity, to metaphorical usages (e.g., authority figure, intense quality).

Translation Consistency

primary "god" 1293 occurrences

θεός is most commonly and naturally rendered as “god,” especially with the article as the supreme God in monotheistic contexts. “God” is the simplest, most frequent, and most idiomatic English equivalent (more natural than “deity”), and all forms (plural, article, idiomatic uses) can be handled by inflecting or qualifying this single base word.

Alternatives (18 occurrences):
"deity" (11x) "divine being" (3x) "men" (1x) "goddess" (1x) "is" (1x) "and" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).

Root Family

θεός (theos) — divine, god, deity

Root θεό- divine, god, deity

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2316-07 Θεοῦ theou N GEN M SG God of a god God 690
G2316-06 Θεός theos N NOM M SG God Divine Being God 307
G2316-02 Θεῷ theo N DAT M SG God to a deity God 158
G2316-05 Θεόν theon N ACC M SG God a deity God 148
G2316-03 θεοί theoi N NOM M PL gods gods gods 5
G2316-08 θεοὺς theous N ACC M PL gods gods gods 2
G2316-01 Θεέ thee N VOC M SG God O God O God 2
G2316-04 θεοῖς theois N DAT M PL gods to gods gods 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1313 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2316-06 Matthew 1:23 Θεός theos N NOM M SG God Divine Being God
G2316-06 Matthew 3:9 Θεὸς theos N NOM M SG God Divine Being God
G2316-07 Matthew 3:16 Θεοῦ theou N GEN M SG of God of a god God
G2316-07 Matthew 4:3 Θεοῦ theou N GEN M SG of God of a god of God
G2316-07 Matthew 4:4 Θεοῦ theou N GEN M SG God of a god of God
G2316-07 Matthew 4:6 Θεοῦ theou N GEN M SG God of a god God
G2316-05 Matthew 4:7 Θεόν theon N ACC M SG God a deity God
G2316-05 Matthew 4:10 Θεόν theon N ACC M SG God a deity God
G2316-05 Matthew 5:8 Θεὸν theon N ACC M SG God a deity God
G2316-07 Matthew 5:9 Θεοῦ theou N GEN M SG of God of a god of God
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