παιδίον (G3813) — Greek Lexicon

παιδίον

paidíon

G3813 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Diminutive form of 'child', denoting a young child, infant, or very young person, regardless of gender; in some contexts conveys endearment or smallness of age. In figurative or metaphorical contexts, used to refer to one who is inexperienced, immature, or dependent, particularly within communities or instructional relationships.

Semantic Range

infant, young child, small child, son or daughter in tender years, minor (legal or social sense), inexperienced or immature person (figurative), one under tutelage or guidance

Root / Etymology

Diminutive of παῖς (pais, 'child', 'boy', 'girl'); forms the neuter noun with diminutive suffix -ιον (-ion), indicating smallness or youth.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, παιδίον developed from the more general παῖς to specify a younger child or infant, and it retained this sense in Hellenistic, Septuagint, and New Testament Greek. The word is entirely neutral regarding gender, applied to boys and girls alike. In the New Testament, παιδίον is commonly used for children (e.g., those brought to Jesus) and infants. It can also suggest status—one under the guidance, care, or authority of adults. Figuratively, in moral or ethical teachings, the term may be used to refer to those who are inexperienced, immature, or require instruction, such as new or 'childlike' members in a community (cf. Matthew 18:3). Standard English translations like 'child', 'little child', or 'young child' generally convey the core meaning, but may miss nuances of tenderness or inexperience. Differs from the use of παῖς, which can refer to a child, servant, or, at times, a youth of significant age. Occasionally used figuratively to contrast with mature adulthood (τελειότης) or wisdom.

Translation Consistency

primary "child" 36 occurrences

paīdíon is a diminutive noun meaning a young or very small person (infant, young child) and often conveys tenderness or immaturity. ‘Child’ is the natural, neutral English noun that covers the typical literal and figurative uses, works for singular/plural forms when inflected, and is more appropriate than adjectival choices like ‘little’ or ‘young.’ It preserves the primary sense across contexts and will yield the most natural, consistent renderings.

Alternatives (16 occurrences):

"young children" (15x) "little children" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

neuter diminutive of παῖς; a childling (of either sex), i.e. (properly), an infant, or (by extension) a half-grown boy or girl; figuratively, an immature Christian:--(little, young) child, damsel.

Root Family

παιδίον (paidion) — child, young person, offspring

Root παιδ- child, young person, offspring

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G3813-03`	παιδίον	paidion	`N NOM N SG`	child	little child	little child	31
`G3813-01`	παιδία	paidia	`N NOM N PL`	children	young children	young children	13
`G3813-04`	παιδίου	paidiou	`N GEN N SG`	child	of a young child	of a young child	6
`G3813-02`	παιδίοις	paidiois	`N DAT N PL`	children	to young children	to young children	2

Occurrences in Scripture

52 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G3813-04`	Matthew 2:8	παιδίου	paidiou	`N GEN N SG`	child	of a young child	of a young child
`G3813-03`	Matthew 2:9	παιδίον	paidion	`N NOM N SG`	child	little child	little child
`G3813-03`	Matthew 2:11	παιδίον	paidion	`N ACC N SG`	child	little child	little child
`G3813-03`	Matthew 2:13	παιδίον	paidion	`N ACC N SG`	Child	little child	little child
`G3813-03`	Matthew 2:13	παιδίον	paidion-2	`N ACC N SG`	Child	little child	little child
`G3813-03`	Matthew 2:14	παιδίον	paidion	`N ACC N SG`	child	little child	little child
`G3813-03`	Matthew 2:20	παιδίον	paidion	`N ACC N SG`	child	little child	little child
`G3813-04`	Matthew 2:20	παιδίου	paidiou	`N GEN N SG`	child's	of a young child	of a young child
`G3813-03`	Matthew 2:21	παιδίον	paidion	`N ACC N SG`	child	little child	little child
`G3813-02`	Matthew 11:16	παιδίοις	paidiois	`N DAT N PL`	children	to young children	to young children
`G3813-03`	Matthew 14:21	παιδίων	paidion	`N GEN N PL`	children	little child	little child
`G3813-03`	Matthew 15:38	παιδίων	paidion	`N GEN N PL`	children	little child	of little children
`G3813-03`	Matthew 18:2	παιδίον	paidion	`N ACC N SG`	a child	little child	little child
`G3813-01`	Matthew 18:3	παιδία	paidia	`N NOM N PL`	children	young children	young children
`G3813-03`	Matthew 18:4	παιδίον	paidion	`N NOM N SG`	child	little child	little child
`G3813-03`	Matthew 18:5	παιδίον	paidion	`N ACC N SG`	child	little child	little child
`G3813-01`	Matthew 19:13	παιδία	paidia	`N NOM N PL`	little children	young children	young children
`G3813-01`	Matthew 19:14	παιδία	paidia	`N ACC N PL`	children	young children	young children
`G3813-03`	Mark 5:39	παιδίον	paidion	`N NOM N SG`	child	little child	little child
`G3813-04`	Mark 5:40	παιδίου	paidiou	`N GEN N SG`	child	of a young child	of a young child
`G3813-03`	Mark 5:40	παιδίον	paidion	`N NOM N SG`	child	little child	little child
`G3813-04`	Mark 5:41	παιδίου	paidiou	`N GEN N SG`	child's	of a young child	of a young child
`G3813-03`	Mark 7:28	παιδίων	paidion	`N GEN N PL`	children's	little child	little child
`G3813-03`	Mark 7:30	παιδίον	paidion	`N ACC N SG`	child	little child	little child
`G3813-04`	Mark 9:24	παιδίου	paidiou	`N GEN N SG`	child	of a young child	of a young child
`G3813-03`	Mark 9:36	παιδίον	paidion	`N ACC N SG`	a child	little child	little child
`G3813-03`	Mark 9:37	παιδίων	paidion	`N GEN N PL`	children	little child	little child
`G3813-01`	Mark 10:13	παιδία	paidia	`N ACC N PL`	little children	young children	young children
`G3813-01`	Mark 10:14	παιδία	paidia	`N ACC N PL`	children	young children	young children
`G3813-03`	Mark 10:15	παιδίον	paidion	`N NOM N SG`	a child	little child	little child
`G3813-03`	Luke 1:59	παιδίον	paidion	`N ACC N SG`	child	little child	little child
`G3813-03`	Luke 1:66	παιδίον	paidion	`N NOM N SG`	child	little child	little child
`G3813-03`	Luke 1:76	παιδίον	paidion	`N VOC N SG`	child	little child	little child
`G3813-03`	Luke 1:80	παιδίον	paidion	`N NOM N SG`	child	little child	little child
`G3813-04`	Luke 2:17	παιδίου	paidiou	`N GEN N SG`	child	of a young child	of a young child
`G3813-03`	Luke 2:27	παιδίον	paidion	`N ACC N SG`	child	little child	little child
`G3813-03`	Luke 2:40	παιδίον	paidion	`N NOM N SG`	child	little child	little child
`G3813-02`	Luke 7:32	παιδίοις	paidiois	`N DAT N PL`	children	to young children	to young children
`G3813-03`	Luke 9:47	παιδίον	paidion	`N ACC N SG`	child	little child	little child
`G3813-03`	Luke 9:48	παιδίον	paidion	`N ACC N SG`	child	little child	little child
`G3813-01`	Luke 11:7	παιδία	paidia	`N NOM N PL`	children	young children	young children
`G3813-01`	Luke 18:16	παιδία	paidia	`N ACC N PL`	children	young children	young children
`G3813-03`	Luke 18:17	παιδίον	paidion	`N NOM N SG`	a child	little child	little child
`G3813-03`	John 4:49	παιδίον	paidion	`N ACC N SG`	child	little child	little child
`G3813-03`	John 16:21	παιδίον	paidion	`N ACC N SG`	child	little child	little child
`G3813-01`	John 21:5	παιδία	paidia	`N VOC N PL`	Children	young children	young children
`G3813-01`	1 Corinthians 14:20	παιδία	paidia	`N NOM N PL`	children	young children	young children
`G3813-01`	Hebrews 2:13	παιδία	paidia	`N NOM N PL`	children	young children	young children
`G3813-01`	Hebrews 2:14	παιδία	paidia	`N NOM N PL`	children	young children	young children
`G3813-03`	Hebrews 11:23	παιδίον	paidion	`N ACC N SG`	child	little child	little child
`G3813-01`	1 John 2:14	παιδία	paidia	`N VOC N PL`	little children	young children	young children
`G3813-01`	1 John 2:18	παιδία	paidia	`N VOC N PL`	Little children	young children	young children

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