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ἀμήτωρ

amḗtōr

G282 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Root μητρ- mother, maternal ancestor

Definition

Primarily, 'without mother'—describing someone who lacks a known or specified mother, or whose ancestry by the maternal line is not recorded or is irrelevant. Used in contexts where a person's genealogy is in view, especially to indicate the absence of maternal lineage or parentage. May also carry the general sense of 'of unknown maternal descent.'

Semantic Range

without mother, lacking a recorded or specified mother, of unknown maternal descent, lacking maternal genealogy

Root / Etymology

From the privative prefix ἀ- (a-, 'not, without') and μήτηρ (mētēr, 'mother'). Thus, 'motherless' or 'without a mother.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term ἀμήτωρ is a rare adjective, found in literary and technical Greek primarily for describing someone without a mother or without reference to a maternal parent. In the New Testament, it occurs in Hebrews 7:3 in the description of Melchizedek, emphasizing the lack of recorded maternal (as well as paternal) descent and thereby contrasting him with Levitical priesthood, whose legitimacy was grounded in documented genealogy. Classical and Hellenistic usage is extremely rare and often poetic or technical, sometimes denoting 'orphan' but usually with more generic words (ὀρφανός). LXX usage is limited, with ἀμήτωρ generally not appearing in narrative contexts. English translations frequently render it as 'without mother,' 'motherless,' or 'of unknown maternal origin,' but these may miss the intentional emphasis on non-recorded ancestry, especially in Hellenistic and NT literary conventions. Unlike standard words for 'orphan,' ἀμήτωρ stresses the absence in genealogical registers rather than implying loss by death. Related adjectives constructed similarly (like ἀπάτωρ, 'without father') serve similar functions in genealogical contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from Α (as a negative particle) and μήτηρ; motherless, i.e. of unknown maternity:--without mother.

Root Family

ἀμήτωρ (amētōr) — mother, maternal ancestor; without mother

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G282-01 ἀμήτωρ ametor ADJ.S NOM M SG motherless 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G282-01 Hebrews 7:3 ἀμήτωρ ametor ADJ.S NOM M SG motherless
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