θηλάζω (G2337) — Greek Lexicon

θηλάζω

thēlázō

G2337 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To suck at the breast, to nurse; primarily refers to the act of an infant feeding at a woman’s breast. Contextually, it also refers to nursing or breastfeeding, and by extension, to providing nourishment in the manner of a mother or wet nurse. Used literally for human or animal young feeding at the breast.

Semantic Range

to suck at the breast, to nurse an infant, to breastfeed, to feed as a newborn (of animals or persons), to suckle (act of feeding at the breast)

Root / Etymology

From θηλή (breast, nipple), with the verb-forming suffix -άζω, indicating the act performed with the noun’s referent ('to act at/on the breast').

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, θηλάζω is used with reference to the physical act of breastfeeding, both in humans and animals. The verb occurs in medical, poetic, and narrative texts to describe the basic necessity of infant nourishment. In the Septuagint and New Testament, it regularly appears in literal descriptions (e.g., infants who breastfeed or suckle). The term lacks the metaphorical or spiritual nuances found in some Latin or later Christian usage. Most English Bible translations render it 'to nurse,' 'to breastfeed,' or 'to suckle'; archaic renderings may use 'give suck.' The primary meaning remains concrete and maternal; there is no significant shift in sense between Greek literary, LXX, and New Testament contexts. Related terms: θηλή (the breast/nipple), τρέφω (to nourish), but θηλάζω specifies the act of feeding at the breast rather than general care or feeding. Standard English versions may obscure directness, but the original Greek maintains a focus on the physical process.

Translation Consistency

primary "nurse" 5 occurrences

θῆλάζω primarily means to feed at the breast—to suckle or breastfeed. “Nurse” is the most natural, widely understood English verb that covers human and animal feeding, matches the typical usage in the P2 renderings, and is flexible for inflection across forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from (the nipple); to suckle, (by implication) to suck:--(give) suck(-ling).

Root Family

θηλ- (thēlázō) — to feed at the breast, to nurse, to suckle

Root θηλ- to feed at the breast, to nurse, to suckle

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
G2338	θῆλυς	females

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G2337-03`	θηλαζούσαις	thelazousais	`V PRS ACT PTCP DAT F PL`	nursing	to the nursing ones	to the nursing ones	3
`G2337-01`	ἐθήλασας	ethelasas	`V AOR ACT IND 2P SG`	you nursed	you suckled	you nursed	1
`G2337-02`	θηλαζόντων	thelazonton	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL`	nursing babies	of those nursing at the breast	of those nursing at the breast	1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G2337-02`	Matthew 21:16	θηλαζόντων	thelazonton	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL`	nursing babies	of those nursing at the breast	of those nursing at the breast
`G2337-03`	Matthew 24:19	θηλαζούσαις	thelazousais	`V PRS ACT PTCP DAT F PL`	nursing	to the nursing ones	to the nursing ones
`G2337-03`	Mark 13:17	θηλαζούσαις	thelazousais	`V PRS ACT PTCP DAT F PL`	nursing	to the nursing ones	to the nursing ones
`G2337-01`	Luke 11:27	ἐθήλασας	ethelasas	`V AOR ACT IND 2P SG`	you nursed	you suckled	you nursed
`G2337-03`	Luke 21:23	θηλαζούσαις	thelazousais	`V PRS ACT PTCP DAT F PL`	nursing	to the nursing ones	to the nursing ones

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