εὐγενής (G2104) — Greek Lexicon

εὐγενής

eugenḗs

G2104 attributive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Of noble birth or distinguished family; by extension, possessing qualities or conduct associated with high social standing, such as uprightness, integrity, or generosity. The term primarily denotes noble lineage, but can also describe a person’s refined or honorable character independent of birth.

Semantic Range

of noble birth, high status, well-born, of distinguished family, noble-minded, high-minded, generous, honorable, open-minded, illustrious

Root / Etymology

From εὖ ('well') + γενής, from γίνομαι ('to become, to be born'), meaning literally 'well-born.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, εὐγενής referred primarily to one born into a reputable, high-ranking, or aristocratic family—sometimes used to describe both inherited status and the manner consistent with that status, such as gracious conduct. In Hellenistic and Koine usage, particularly in the New Testament (e.g., Acts 17:11; Luke 19:12), the term can describe either literal nobility by birth or metaphorically an admirable quality of openness, fairness, or generosity (as with the Bereans' open-minded reception of new teaching, Acts 17:11). LXX usage is rare but generally refers to the elite or upper classes. Later Greek and translation traditions sometimes render εὐγενής as 'nobleman' or 'more noble,' but this can obscure the nuance of either lineage or character, which was context-dependent. The term does not inherently denote a religious identity nor does it carry the modern sense of 'nobility' as a legal class, though it overlaps with such concepts in ancient society. In some contexts, it may contrast with terms like ταπεινός ('low-born', 'humble').

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from εὖ and γίνομαι; well born, i.e. (literally) high in rank, or (figuratively) generous:--more noble, nobleman.

Root Family

εὐγενής (eugenēs) — to be born, to become; well-born, noble, of distinguished lineage

Root γεν- to be born, to become

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
G21037		the more-well-born ones

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G2104-01`	εὐγενεῖς	eugeneis	`ADJ.S NOM M PL`	noble	well-born ones	noble	1
`G2104-02`	εὐγενὴς	eugenes	`ADJ.A NOM M SG`	nobleman	well-born noble	well-born noble	1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G2104-02`	Luke 19:12	εὐγενὴς	eugenes	`ADJ.A NOM M SG`	nobleman	well-born noble	well-born noble
`G2104-01`	1 Corinthians 1:26	εὐγενεῖς	eugeneis	`ADJ.S NOM M PL`	noble	well-born ones	noble

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