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νεοσσός

neossós

G3502 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A young bird, especially one still in the nest; nestling. More broadly, refers to a young offspring of birds, emphasizing immaturity and dependence. In some contexts, can extend generally to any young animal, but primary reference is to birds still under parental care.

Semantic Range

nestling, young bird, fledgling, chick; (rarely) offspring of animals in a dependent stage

Root / Etymology

From the adjective νέος ('new, young') with a diminutive or relational suffix -σσός, indicating something newly born or recently produced. The formation is specifically Greek and occurs in related words for juvenile animals.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, νεοσσός is predominantly used for young birds, especially those in the nest, highlighting the stage before fledging. The term is found in Aristotle and other naturalistic literature of the period and maintains this specific sense in later Greek, including the Septuagint. In the LXX, νεοσσός commonly renders Hebrew terms for young or fledgling birds (e.g., גּוֹזָל, gozal). In the New Testament (e.g., Luke 13:34), the word retains its reference to nestlings or dependent young birds. Although older English translations sometimes gloss the term simply as 'young,' the context nearly always implies a young bird, emphasizing dependency and vulnerability. The term is more specific than generic words for 'offspring' or 'child' (e.g., τέκνον), conveying both species (avifauna) and stage of development.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from νέος; a youngling (nestling):--young.

Root Family

νεοσσός (neossos) — young, new, recent; young bird, nestling

Root νεοσ- young, new, recent

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3502-01 νοσσοὺς nossous N ACC M PL young nestlings nestlings 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3502-01 Luke 2:24 νοσσοὺς nossous N ACC M PL young nestlings nestlings
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