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ὀνάριον

onárion

G3678 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A young donkey; more specifically, the diminutive form denotes a small, perhaps juvenile, donkey. While the primary reference is to a donkey of small size or young age, the term does not intrinsically specify a foal but a diminutive in size or age.

Semantic Range

young donkey, little donkey, small donkey, diminutive of donkey

Root / Etymology

Diminutive formed from ὄνος ('donkey', 'ass'), with the neuter diminutive suffix -αριον, yielding 'little donkey'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ὀνάριον is rare in extant Greek literature and is primarily attested in Hellenistic and Koine sources, such as the New Testament (e.g., John 12:14). Its use reflects regular Greek diminutive formation, distinguishing it from ὄνος, which denotes a donkey generally. In some contexts, the term may overlap with other diminutives or terms for young animals (e.g., πῶλος, which typically connotes a young of a horse, donkey, or other animal). English translations have rendered ὀνάριον as 'young donkey', 'foal', or 'colt', but the Greek form specifically emphasizes smallness or youth of a donkey rather than being a technical term for a newborn or for a foal of any equid. The Vulgate and Latin tradition often interpret this word according to the context (e.g., "pullus asinae"). Attested only in later Koine Greek, it does not appear in earlier classical lexica, indicating a likely Hellenistic development following regular patterns of diminutive formation.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

neuter of a presumed derivative of ὄνος; a little ass:--young ass.

Root Family

ὀνάριον (onarion) — donkey, little donkey, young donkey

Root ὀν- donkey, ass

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3678-01 ὀνάριον onarion N ACC N SG young donkey a little donkey a little donkey 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3678-01 John 12:14 ὀνάριον onarion N ACC N SG young donkey a little donkey a little donkey
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