← G1076 G1078 →

γενέσια

genésia

G1077 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Ritual celebration or ceremonies marking the anniversary of someone's birth; specifically, a formal observance of a birthday, especially with communal gathering and festal rites. In broader Hellenistic contexts, can refer to official festivals or commemorative ceremonies connected with the birth or foundation of notable persons, rulers, or cities.

Semantic Range

birthday celebration, birthday festival, commemorative festival for a birth or origin, founding anniversary ceremonies

Root / Etymology

Derived from γένεσις (genesis, 'origin, birth'), itself from the root γεν- (to beget, to come into being). The ending -ια signifies a plural event or festival, so γενέσια denotes ceremonies or festivals relating to a birth or origin.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, γενέσια originally referred to commemorative offerings for the dead on the anniversary of their birth, but during the Hellenistic period, the term came to be used more generally for birthday celebrations, especially as public or official events for rulers or benefactors. In Koine Greek, including the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 14:6; Mark 6:21), γενέσια is specifically used of the birthday celebration of Herod Antipas, highlighting an elite social context. The term does not imply a private or familial birthday as understood in later social customs, but an official gathering or banquet, often with political or ceremonial significance. In later periods, γενέσια also became associated with festivals of cities or gods marking their 'birth' or founding. Standard English translations as 'birthday' may obscure the formal, often communal and ritual character of the event implied by the Greek term.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

neuter plural of a derivative of γένεσις; birthday ceremonies:--birthday.

Root Family

γεν- (geneá) — to beget, produce, originate, bear offspring

Root γεν- to beget, to come into being, to originate
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1074 γενεά generation
G1078 γένεσις in origin
G1079 γενετή of birth
G1080 γεννάω I begot
G1084 γεννητός to the born ones

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1077-01 γενεσίοις genesiois N DAT N PL birthday at birthday festivals at birthday celebrations 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1077-01 Matthew 14:6 γενεσίοις genesiois N DAT N PL on birthday celebrations at birthday festivals at birthday celebrations
G1077-01 Mark 6:21 γενεσίοις genesiois N DAT N PL birthday at birthday festivals birthday festival
← G1076 Greek Lexicon G1078 →