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γνήσιος

gnḗsios

G1103 attributive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Of legitimate birth; by extension, true, authentic, genuine. The core meaning refers to being born in accordance with legal or recognized lineage, but the term commonly extends metaphorically to signify something real or unadulterated, such as a genuine friend, sincere love, or authentic status.

Semantic Range

legitimate (of birth), genuine (of origin), authentic, true (in character or quality), sincere, unadulterated

Root / Etymology

From the root γεν- (‘to beget, to produce’); related to γένος (genos, ‘race, stock, kind’) and γνήσιος developed into an adjective describing legitimate offspring, then more broadly authentic or true things and people.

Historical & Contextual Notes

γνήσιος appears in classical Greek to describe a child born of a lawful or recognized union (contrasted with νόθος, ‘illegitimate’). By the Hellenistic and Koine periods, its use broadens to indicate what is genuine versus counterfeit—used of children (genuine offspring), relationships (genuine friends), and qualities (authentic sincerity). In the New Testament (see e.g. Php 4:3; 2Co 8:8), γνήσιος describes authenticity of character or relationship. English translations as ‘true’ can flatten its nuance, which includes both legitimacy (in terms of origin or lineage) and the absence of pretense or falsity. Usage in the Septuagint is rare, but Hellenistic authors use the term for both literal and figurative senses.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the same as γενέσια; legitimate (of birth), i.e. genuine:--own, sincerity, true.

Root Family

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

Root γεν- to beget, produce, generate
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1074 γενεά generation
G1077 γενέσια at birthday festivals
G1078 γένεσις in origin
G1079 γενετή of birth
G1080 γεννάω I begot

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1103-02 γνησίῳ gnesio ADJ.A DAT N SG genuine to/for a genuine one to a genuine child 2
G1103-01 γνήσιε gnesie ADJ.A VOC M SG true O genuine one O genuine one 1
G1103-03 γνήσιον gnesion ADJ.S ACC N SG sincerity genuine thing genuine 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1103-03 2 Corinthians 8:8 γνήσιον gnesion ADJ.S ACC N SG sincerity genuine thing genuine
G1103-01 Philippians 4:3 γνήσιε gnesie ADJ.A VOC M SG true O genuine one O genuine one
G1103-02 1 Timothy 1:2 γνησίῳ gnesio ADJ.A DAT N SG genuine to/for a genuine one to a genuine child
G1103-02 Titus 1:4 γνησίῳ gnesio ADJ.A DAT N SG genuine to/for a genuine one to a genuine one
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