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πῶλος

pōlos

G4454 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Young animal, primarily a colt; generally, the offspring of an equine animal, chiefly a horse, donkey, or mule in context. In Koine Greek, often refers specifically to a young donkey or ass, especially one not yet ridden by a human. Occasionally, more broadly any juvenile member of such species depending on literary context.

Semantic Range

young horse, young donkey, young mule, colt, foal, offspring of an equid; specifically, a young donkey in prophetic or narrative contexts

Root / Etymology

Root is πωλ-, likely of pre-Greek or onomatopoeic origin, as the term appears across various Greek dialects without clear derivation from known Greek verbal roots. Possible cognates appear in other Indo-European languages (cf. Latin 'pullus'), but connection is uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, πῶλος is primarily a generic term for any young horse or equid (including donkey or mule), with more specific terms employed for gender or species where necessary. In the Septuagint (LXX) and New Testament, πῶλος frequently describes a young donkey, especially in prophetic or royal procession contexts (e.g., Zechariah 9:9; Mark 11:2–7), sometimes following Hebrew עַיִר (ʿayir, 'colt' or 'foal'). The word thus can denote a young donkey in fulfillment narratives or everyday life. Standard English translations usually render πῶλος as 'colt' or 'foal', which can obscure whether a donkey or other equid is intended; 'colt' in older English can also mean 'young horse', but in the biblical context the referent is more often a young donkey. The meaning did not develop significant metaphorical or figurative senses in Koine contexts, remaining concrete and zoological. Distinct from ἵππος (hippos, 'horse') and ὄνος (onos, 'donkey'), which denote adult animals.

Translation Consistency

primary "colt" 12 occurrences

πῶλος most often denotes a young equid and in Koine contexts (especially prophetic and Gospel passages) commonly refers to a young donkey/horse rendered in English as “colt.” “Colt” is the natural, traditional, and most frequent English choice that preserves the typical sense across contexts while remaining concise and consistent.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

apparently a primary word; a "foal" or "filly", i.e. (specially), a young ass:--colt.

Root Family

πῶλος (pōlos) — young animal, colt, foal

Root πωλ- young animal, colt, foal

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4454-01 πῶλον polon N ACC M SG colt a colt a colt 12

Occurrences in Scripture

12 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4454-01 Matthew 21:2 πῶλον polon N ACC M SG a colt a colt a colt
G4454-01 Matthew 21:5 πῶλον polon N ACC M SG a colt a colt a colt
G4454-01 Matthew 21:7 πῶλον polon N ACC M SG colt a colt a colt
G4454-01 Mark 11:2 πῶλον polon N ACC M SG colt a colt a colt
G4454-01 Mark 11:4 πῶλον polon N ACC M SG a colt a colt a colt
G4454-01 Mark 11:5 πῶλον polon N ACC M SG colt a colt a colt
G4454-01 Mark 11:7 πῶλον polon N ACC M SG colt a colt a colt
G4454-01 Luke 19:30 πῶλον polon N ACC M SG colt a colt a colt
G4454-01 Luke 19:33 πῶλον polon N ACC M SG colt a colt a colt
G4454-01 Luke 19:33 πῶλον polon-2 N ACC M SG colt a colt a colt
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