θεόπνευστος
theópneustos
G2315 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Breathed out or inspired by a deity, especially by God; produced, imparted, or prompted through a divine origin. In contexts where it is applied to writings or spoken words, it denotes that these are understood as having originated from, or been influenced by, divine breath, and therefore possessing authority or special significance.
Semantic Range
divinely inspired, breathed out by a deity, imparted by God, originating from God, having divine origin or authority
Root / Etymology
Compound of θεός ('god') and πνέω ('to breathe, to blow'). Formed as a verbal adjective meaning 'breathed by a god' or 'divinely breathed'. The formation suggests passive sense: 'having been breathed out by God'. There is no evidence of the term prior to Koine Greek, and it appears to have been coined for theological use.
Historical & Contextual Notes
θεόπνευστος does not occur in extant classical Greek literature before its appearance in Koine texts, notably in 2 Timothy 3:16, where it is used of sacred writings. The Septuagint does not use this term; it appears to be a Christian coinage or a technical term in Hellenistic Jewish-Greek religious vocabulary. In broader Greek, analogical compounds with πνευστος are rare and also carry the meaning 'breathed [out]'. English translations traditionally render it 'inspired by God', but the metaphor is explicitly pneumatic (relating to breath/spirit), not merely 'inspirational'. There is scholarly debate whether the term should be rendered 'God-breathed' (emphasizing origination) or 'God-breathing' (emphasizing effect), but passive formation and contextual usage strongly support the former. The term does not imply mechanical dictation, but denotes writings as possessing divine origin and authority. It was later adopted in patristic writings to describe the nature of sacred scriptures.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from θεός and a presumed derivative of πνέω; divinely breathed in:--given by inspiration of God.
Root Family
θεό-, πνευ- (theópneustos) — god, to breathe, to blow
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2315-01 |
θεόπνευστος | theopneustos | ADJ.S NOM F SG |
inspired by God | God-breathed | God-breathed | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2315-01 |
2 Timothy 3:16 | θεόπνευστος | theopneustos | ADJ.S NOM F SG |
inspired by God | God-breathed | God-breathed |