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κτῆνος

ktēnos

G2934 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A domestic animal, particularly livestock kept as property or for agricultural purposes; by extension, refers to a beast of burden or working animal under human ownership. The term does not generally include wild animals, but refers primarily to quadrupeds raised and maintained by humans.

Semantic Range

domestic animal, livestock, beast of burden, working beast, draught animal, property animal

Root / Etymology

From the verb κτάομαι (ktaomai, 'to acquire, to possess'), indicating something acquired as property. The suffix -ος marks a neuter noun, denoting an object or entity.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, κτῆνος denoted any animal owned as property, most often larger domesticated livestock such as cattle, horses, donkeys, or camels—animals essential to agriculture and transportation. The term appears in both literary and documentary sources to distinguish such working animals from wild creatures or smaller domesticated animals (e.g., dogs, poultry). In the Septuagint, κτῆνος often renders Hebrew terms for cattle or beasts of burden, emphasizing possession and utility. In the New Testament (e.g., Luke 10:34), κτῆνος refers specifically to the animal used by the Samaritan traveler, highlighting its role as property or means of conveyance. English versions frequently translate κτῆνος as 'beast' or 'animal,' but 'domestic animal,' 'beast of burden,' or 'livestock' better capture its historic sense. The core notion always involves ownership and utility, distinguishing it from θηρίον ('wild animal') or ζῷον (general 'living creature').

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κτάομαι; property, i.e. (specially) a domestic animal:--beast.

Root Family

κτῆνος (ktēnos) — domestic animal, livestock, beast of burden, property animal

Root κτῆν- to acquire, to possess property (especially animals)

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2934-01 κτήνη ktene N ACC N PL beasts domestic animals domestic animals 2
G2934-02 κτηνῶν ktenon N GEN N PL of beasts of livestock of livestock 1
G2934-03 κτῆνος ktenos N ACC N SG animal a domestic animal animal 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2934-03 Luke 10:34 κτῆνος ktenos N ACC N SG animal a domestic animal animal
G2934-01 Acts 23:24 κτήνη ktene N ACC N PL beasts domestic animals domestic animals
G2934-02 1 Corinthians 15:39 κτηνῶν ktenon N GEN N PL of beasts of livestock of livestock
G2934-01 Revelation 18:13 κτήνη ktene N ACC N PL cattle domestic animals domestic animals
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