κυνάριον (G2952) — Greek Lexicon

κυνάριον

kynárion

G2952 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Diminutive form of κύων, referring primarily to a small dog or puppy. In figurative contexts, especially in Hellenistic and Roman period Greek, can refer to someone of low status or an outsider, as implied in certain literary or social settings. Primarily denotes a young or small domesticated dog, but may be extended metaphorically to mean insignificant person or outsider in specific contexts.

Semantic Range

puppy, little dog, small household dog; (figuratively) person of low status, outsider

Root / Etymology

Diminutive formation from κύων ('dog') with the neuter suffix -άριον, indicating 'little dog' or 'puppy.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term κυνάριον is rare in classical Greek literature and is primarily attested in Hellenistic and Koine sources, including the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 15:26-27; Mark 7:27-28), usually in the diminutive sense 'little dog' or 'puppy.' In the Greco-Roman world, dogs were both domesticated animals and sometimes viewed pejoratively, which provided fertile ground for metaphorical usage. In the context of the Gospels, κυνάριον is employed within a dialogue about social boundaries, where the diminutive conveys a softer or more affectionate nuance compared to the harsher κύων. Standard English translations usually render it 'dog' or 'puppy,' but this may obscure the original diminutive and potentially more nuanced import of the term within its social and literary setting.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

neuter of a presumed derivative of κύων; a puppy:--dog.

Root Family

κυνάριον (kynarion) — dog, small dog, puppy

Root κυν- dog, small dog, puppy

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G2952-01`	κυνάρια	kunaria	`N NOM N PL`	dogs	small dogs	small dogs	2
`G2952-02`	κυναρίοις	kunariois	`N DAT N PL`	dogs	to the little dogs	dogs	2

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G2952-02`	Matthew 15:26	κυναρίοις	kunariois	`N DAT N PL`	dogs	to the little dogs	dogs
`G2952-01`	Matthew 15:27	κυνάρια	kunaria	`N NOM N PL`	dogs	small dogs	small dogs
`G2952-02`	Mark 7:27	κυναρίοις	kunariois	`N DAT N PL`	dogs	to the little dogs	little dogs
`G2952-01`	Mark 7:28	κυνάρια	kunaria	`N NOM N PL`	dogs	small dogs	small dogs

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