τετράπους (G5074) — Greek Lexicon

τετράπους

tetrápous

G5074 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

A four-footed animal, any animal that walks on four legs; refers primarily to non-human terrestrial animals distinguished by having four feet, especially in contrast to bipeds (humans) or other types of creatures. Contextually, it denotes any land animal characterized by quadrupedal locomotion.

Semantic Range

four-footed animal; quadruped; any non-human terrestrial animal with four feet; beast (with anatomical emphasis)

Root / Etymology

From the Greek roots τέσσαρες (four) and πούς (foot). Formed as a compound word meaning 'four-footed.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, τετράπους is a descriptive term for animals with four feet, regularly used in natural history, philosophy, and zoological classification (e.g., Aristotle). In the Septuagint and New Testament (e.g., Acts 10:12; 11:6; Romans 1:23), the term sometimes functions within listings of animals (alongside reptiles, birds, etc.) to emphasize the full diversity of land creatures, particularly in contexts referencing distinctions in ritual purity, creation, or idolatry. Standard English translations often render it as "four-footed animal" or "beast," but the latter may obscure its technical zoological sense. Unlike θηρίον (wild animal, beast) or κτῆνος (domestic animal, beast of burden), τετράπους refers specifically to quadrupeds regardless of their domestication or wildness, and is defined anatomically, not by temperament or use. Its connotation in Hellenistic Jewish and early Christian writings underscores the broader Greco-Roman interest in the classification of living beings.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from τέσσαρες and πούς; a quadruped:--fourfooted beast.

Root Family

τετράπους (tetrapous) — four-footed, quadruped, animal with four feet

Root τέτρᾰπς- four-footed, quadruped, animal with four feet

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G5074-01`	τετράποδα	tetrapoda	`ADJ.S NOM N PL`	four-footed animals	four-footed animals	four-footed animals	2
`G5074-02`	τετραπόδων	tetrapodon	`ADJ.S GEN N PL`	four-footed animals	of four-footed animals	of four-footed animals	1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G5074-01`	Acts 10:12	τετράποδα	tetrapoda	`ADJ.S NOM N PL`	four-footed animals	four-footed animals	four-footed animals
`G5074-01`	Acts 11:6	τετράποδα	tetrapoda	`ADJ.S ACC N PL`	fourfooted beasts	four-footed animals	four-footed animals
`G5074-02`	Romans 1:23	τετραπόδων	tetrapodon	`ADJ.S GEN N PL`	four-footed animals	of four-footed animals	of four-footed animals

← G5073 Greek Lexicon G5075 →