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στρουθίον

strouthíon

G4765 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A small bird, especially a sparrow; in broader contexts, any small bird or passerine. Primarily refers to small birds commonly found in the eastern Mediterranean, often observed in towns and rural areas. In specific literary or metaphorical contexts, refers to a creature of little monetary or social value, sometimes employed as a symbol of insignificance or vulnerability.

Semantic Range

little bird, sparrow, small songbird, inexpensive or common bird; symbol of insignificance or small value

Root / Etymology

Diminutive form of στρουθός (strouthos), meaning 'bird' or more specifically 'sparrow/ostrich'; στρουθίον thus means 'little bird' or 'small sparrow'. The root στρουθ- relates to small birds in general, with the diminutive suffix -ίον. The precise origin of στρουθός is uncertain but attested in classical Greek.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical and Hellenistic Greek, στρουθίον denotes a small sparrow or generic small bird. In the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 10:29, Matthew 10:31, Luke 12:6-7), it refers specifically to the common house sparrow, known in antiquity for its abundance and low commercial value—sold cheaply in markets. The Septuagint and other Greek Jewish texts similarly use the term in this sense, typically to evoke images of insignificance, dependence, or vulnerability, especially in the context of divine care or providence. English translations routinely render στρουθίον as 'sparrow', but the Greek term carries connotations both of species and broader notions of worthlessness or everyday commonness that may not be conveyed fully by the translation. Occasionally, the term could be used more generally for any small songbird, though in the cultural context of Roman Judea, 'sparrow' is the most likely referent. There is no substantive difference in meaning between Septuagint, New Testament, and wider Koine usage, though nuance may vary with context.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

diminutive of (a sparrow); a little sparrow:--sparrow.

Root Family

στρουθίον (strouthion) — bird, sparrow, small bird

Root στρουθ- bird, sparrow, small bird

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4765-02 στρουθίων strouthion N GEN N PL sparrows of small birds of small birds 2
G4765-01 στρουθία strouthia N NOM N PL sparrows little birds little birds 2

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4765-01 Matthew 10:29 στρουθία strouthia N NOM N PL sparrows little birds little birds
G4765-02 Matthew 10:31 στρουθίων strouthion N GEN N PL sparrows of small birds small birds
G4765-01 Luke 12:6 στρουθία strouthia N NOM N PL sparrows little birds sparrows
G4765-02 Luke 12:7 στρουθίων strouthion N GEN N PL sparrows of small birds of small birds
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