γενέσια, γενέθλιος
genesia, genethlios
birthday
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word "γενέσια" (genesia) or "γενέθλιος" (genethlios) refers to a birthday. This noun is used only twice in the Bible, indicating its relatively limited usage in the New Testament. The word's meaning is straightforward, signifying the day of one's birth. The significance of this word lies in its association with the celebration of a person's life. While the Bible does not provide extensive information on the cultural or social practices surrounding birthdays, the use of this word suggests that birthdays were recognized and commemorated in ancient Greek culture. This could imply that birthdays held some level of importance or significance in the lives of individuals, potentially marking important milestones or transitions. In the context of the Bible, the use of "γενέσια" or "γενέθλιος" may be more than just a casual reference to a person's birthdate. It could be a deliberate choice to highlight the significance of a person's life, such as in the case of Jesus' birth, which is often seen as a pivotal event in the narratives of the Gospels.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences across the text