φιλότεκνος
philóteknos
G5388 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Fond or loving towards one's own children; expressing affection and care for one's children. In Koine Greek contexts, describes a parental disposition of nurture, affection, or concern towards offspring, most commonly used of mothers but also applicable to parents generally.
Semantic Range
loving one's children, affectionate toward children, having parental affection, nurturing or devoted as a parent, especially a mother
Root / Etymology
A compound of φίλος (loving, fond, friendly) and τέκνον (child, offspring). The formation literally means 'child-loving' or 'fond of children.' No evidence of significant meaning change from its components.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term φιλότεκνος is rare in extant Greek literature and appears primarily in household codes (such as Titus 2:4 in the New Testament) with reference to the expected character of mothers, urging them to display affection, concern, and sense of responsibility for their own children. Its usage is prescriptive and descriptive of an idealized parental (particularly maternal) relationship, emphasizing warmth and emotional connection—contrasting with terms focused purely on duty (e.g., τροφός, one who 'feeds' or 'nurtures'). Classical Greek had related terms, but φιλότεκνος is particularly at home in Hellenistic and later family and moral instruction. English translations often render it 'to love their children,' which captures the affective sense but does not fully convey the Greek nuance of fondness or affectionate attachment. There is no direct single-word equivalent in modern English; expressions like 'parentally affectionate' or 'loving one's children' are closest. The term does not specify gender, but is typically used of mothers in household instructions.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from φίλος and τέκνον; fond of one's children, i.e. maternal:--love their children.
Root Family
φιλότεκνος (philoteknos) — to love, to be fond of, child, offspring
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5388-01 |
φιλοτέκνους | philoteknous | ADJ.S ACC F PL |
to love their children | child-loving (feminine plural accusative) | child-loving | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5388-01 |
Titus 2:4 | φιλοτέκνους | philoteknous | ADJ.S ACC F PL |
to love their children | child-loving (feminine plural accusative) | child-loving |