γένος
genos
family: descendant
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word γένος (genos) is a term that refers to family or descent. It encompasses a broad range of relationships, from immediate family members to more distant relatives and even ethnic or national groups. This word is used 15 times in the Bible, indicating its importance in the cultural and social context of the ancient world. In its usage, γένος often connotes a sense of shared identity, heritage, or lineage. It can describe a person's family ties, whether biological or adoptive, as well as their social status or reputation within their community. The word also has a broader application, referring to ethnic or national groups, such as the "Greek genos" or the "Israelite genos." This highlights the significance of γένος in ancient Greek and Jewish cultures, where family and social relationships played a crucial role in shaping individual identity and community dynamics. The frequency and range of usage for γένος suggest its importance in the biblical narrative, particularly in the contexts of family, community, and national identity. By examining this word, we gain insight into the social and cultural values of the ancient world, where family and kinship ties were deeply intertwined with individual and collective identity.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
15 total occurrences across the text
Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. She begged him that he would cast the demon out of her daughter.
Acts 4:6Annas the high priest was there, with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and as many as were relatives of the high priest.
Acts 4:36Joses, who by the apostles was also called Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,
Acts 7:13On the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph’s race was revealed to Pharaoh.
Acts 7:19The same took advantage of our race, and mistreated our fathers, and forced them to throw out their babies, so that they wouldn’t stay alive.
Acts 13:26Brothers, children of the stock of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, the word of this salvation is sent out to you.
Acts 17:28‘For in him we live, move, and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’
Acts 17:29Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver, or stone, engraved by art and design of man.
Acts 18:2He found a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus by race, who had recently come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome. He came to them,
Acts 18:24Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus. He was mighty in the Scriptures.
2 Corinthians 11:26I have been in travels often, perils of rivers, perils of robbers, perils from my countrymen, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the city, perils in the wilderness, perils in the sea, perils among false brothers;
Galatians 1:14I advanced in the Jews’ religion beyond many of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
Philippians 3:5circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;
1 Peter 2:9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Revelation 22:16I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify these things to you for the assemblies. I am the root and the offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”