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νοσσίον

nossíon

G3556 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Young bird, especially a chick or fledgling, typically newly hatched and not yet independent. The term refers to the offspring of birds, with a focus on those that are recently hatched and under the protection or care of the mother, but may broadly denote any small, immature bird in context.

Semantic Range

newly hatched bird, unfledged chick, young bird under parental care, small birdling, bird offspring

Root / Etymology

Diminutive form of νεοσσός (neossós, meaning 'young bird, chick'), itself from the root νεο- (neo-, 'new') + -σσός (a formative element). Thus, νοσσίον literally means 'little chick' or 'small young bird.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

νοσσίον appears in Hellenistic Greek and the Septuagint to refer to the young of birds, especially in contexts of vulnerability and parental care (e.g., Deuteronomy 22:6 LXX for fledglings or eggs in a nest). Unlike the English 'chicken,' which often refers specifically to the domesticated fowl species Gallus gallus domesticus, νοσσίον is a general term for any bird's chick, including wild species. In this respect, the translation 'chicken' in some English Bibles is too narrow and may not reflect the word's actual range. The diminutive nuance indicates something small and dependent rather than specifying species. The term distinguishes from more generic or mature bird terms such as ὄρνις ('bird' in general) or πέτομαι ('to fly'). Usage in the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34) metaphorically invokes the image of chicks gathered under wings, emphasizing vulnerability and protection. The diminutive form and its emotional associations may add tenderness or affection to the reference, connoting helplessness or dependency. The word remains rare in post-classical and Koine Greek outside Jewish/Christian scriptural tradition.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

diminutive of νεοσσός; a birdling:--chicken.

Root Family

νοσσίον (nossion) — young bird, chick, fledgling

Root νεοσσ- young bird, chick, fledgling

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3556-01 νοσσία nossia N ACC N PL brood/chicks little chicks little chicks 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3556-01 Matthew 23:37 νοσσία nossia N ACC N PL brood/chicks little chicks little chicks
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