θεότης
theótēs
G2320 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Essence or quality of being a god; divine nature or deity. Refers specifically to the state or condition of possessing divine attributes, godhood, or godly nature. In context, indicates the sum and substance of 'divinity' as inherent in a being, particularly the manifestation or presence of what makes one truly divine.
Semantic Range
essence of deity, divine nature, divinity, state of being god, quality or condition of being divine, godhead
Root / Etymology
From θεός (theós, 'god') with the abstract noun suffix -της (-tēs), forming a noun meaning 'the state or quality of being god'. Cognate with other Greek abstract nouns ending in -της expressing the essence or state signified by the root.
Historical & Contextual Notes
θεότης is a rare noun in Greek—only attested in post-classical sources and in Colossians 2:9 in the New Testament. Its formation parallels that of other Greek terms expressing the quality or essence of a thing (e.g., ἀνθρωπότης, 'humanity'). In contrast to θεῖον (divine nature as an abstract force) and θειότης (divinity as quality), θεότης emphasizes the possession of divine nature or essence itself. In Hellenistic philosophical contexts, the term could denote the inherent quality that distinguishes gods from mortals. The Vulgate and many later translations render it as 'deitas' or 'divinity,' but English tradition sometimes uses 'Godhead,' a term now archaic. In Colossians, the use emphasizes the full and actual presence of all divine attributes. The word is not used in classical Greek literature and appears to have emerged in Koine and later theological literature, possibly influenced by Jewish and emerging Christian reflection on ontology and divine identity.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from θεός; divinity (abstractly):--godhead.
Root Family
θεό- (theós) — divine, god, deity
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G2316 | θεός | O God |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2320-01 |
Θεότητος | theotetos | N GEN F SG |
Deity | of divine nature | Deity | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2320-01 |
Colossians 2:9 | Θεότητος | theotetos | N GEN F SG |
Deity | of divine nature | Deity |