βίος
bíos
G979 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Basic sense: life, especially life defined by its duration or human activities. Semantic Range: (1) one's manner or course of life; (2) a period or span of life or lifetime; (3) means or resources necessary for living—livelihood; (4) material goods, resources, or possessions by which one lives. Differentiates from ζωή (zōē), which commonly refers to life in an existential, biological, or metaphysical sense, while βίος more often emphasizes practical, social, and material aspects of living.
Semantic Range
life (in terms of one's course of living), period or span of life, manner of life, livelihood, means of subsistence, material goods, possessions, resources for living
Root / Etymology
Possibly derived from the Indo-European root *gwi- (to live). No a clear connection to any compound or prefixed forms; the root is βι- (βι-), and the noun is primary (not derived from another Greek term).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, βίος mainly referred to the manner or span of one's life, with nuanced use for 'mode of living' (e.g., βίος θεωρητικός, life of contemplation) and also for one's 'dwelling' or 'livelihood.' In the Septuagint and New Testament, βίος frequently refers to material life—means of physical sustenance, one’s property, and possessions (e.g., Luke 8:14, 15:12, 1 John 3:17). Contrasts with ζωή, which denotes general or abstract life, including biological and spiritual sense. In standard English translation, βίος is often rendered as 'life' or 'living', but this can obscure distinctions between social/material life and other senses of life. βίος does not inherently carry connotations of moral, spiritual, or cosmic life; those belong more to ζωή. In later Greek, βίος retains its sense of manner or means of living. The word enters some philosophical vocabulary (e.g., bios as a way of life), but in biblical contexts, it most commonly denotes the practical and economic aspects of living or livelihood.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primary word; life, i.e. (literally) the present state of existence; by implication, the means of livelihood:--good, life, living.
Root Family
βίος (bios) — life (as duration or course), livelihood, means of living
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G979-01 |
βίον | bion | N ACC M SG |
living | life course | 7 |
G979-02 |
βίου | biou | N GEN M SG |
life | of livelihood | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
10 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G979-01 |
Mark 12:44 | βίον | bion | N ACC M SG |
living | life course |
G979-02 |
Luke 8:14 | βίου | biou | N GEN M SG |
life | of livelihood |
G979-01 |
Luke 8:43 | βίον | bion | N ACC M SG |
living | life course |
G979-01 |
Luke 15:12 | βίον | bion | N ACC M SG |
living | life course |
G979-01 |
Luke 15:30 | βίον | bion | N ACC M SG |
property | life course |
G979-01 |
Luke 21:4 | βίον | bion | N ACC M SG |
living | life course |
G979-01 |
1 Timothy 2:2 | βίον | bion | N ACC M SG |
life | life course |
G979-02 |
2 Timothy 2:4 | βίου | biou | N GEN M SG |
life | of livelihood |
G979-02 |
1 John 2:16 | βίου | biou | N GEN M SG |
life | of livelihood |
G979-01 |
1 John 3:17 | βίον | bion | N ACC M SG |
goods | life course |