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μήτρα

mḗtra

G3388 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

The internal reproductive organ of a female, specifically the uterus or womb. In Greek literature, refers concretely to the physical womb as the place where offspring develop before birth; may also be used metaphorically for the source or origin of something.

Semantic Range

uterus, womb (anatomical); source, place of origin (metaphorical)

Root / Etymology

From μήτηρ ('mother'), with the suffix -τρα indicating an instrument or place relating to the base meaning 'mother.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

μήτρα appears in classical and Hellenistic Greek to denote the anatomical womb or uterus and is the standard medical and biological term for this organ. In Greek literature and medical texts (e.g., Hippocrates, Galen), it specifically refers to the uterus in both humans and animals. In the Septuagint, μήτρα translates Hebrew רֶחֶם (reḥem), meaning 'womb.' In the New Testament, the term is employed in the literal anatomical sense. Occasionally, μήτρα can have a metaphorical sense, denoting the source or origin of something, but this is less common in biblical and Hellenistic literature. English translations typically render the word as 'womb,' which aligns well with the primary lexical meaning, though the underlying focus is anatomical and biological. Related Greek terms include γαστήρ (gastḗr), which can denote the belly more broadly, including the womb in some contexts, but μήτρα is more precise and specialized for the uterus.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from μήτηρ; the matrix:--womb.

Root Family

μήτρα (mētra) — mother, womb, uterus

Root μητρ- mother, womb, uterus

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3388-02 μήτρας metras N GEN F SG womb of a womb womb 1
G3388-01 μήτραν metran N ACC F SG the womb womb womb 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3388-01 Luke 2:23 μήτραν metran N ACC F SG the womb womb womb
G3388-02 Romans 4:19 μήτρας metras N GEN F SG womb of a womb womb
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