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συγγενής

syngenḗs

G4773 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Root γεν- beget, give birth, produce; birth, lineage, family descent

Definition

Of the same family line or kin, a blood relative; in extended contexts, a member of the same people group, clan, or nation. The primary sense is 'one of the same descent,' with contextual expansions to close relatives, kinfolk, and sometimes people from the same geographic or ethnic group. Can refer to near relatives (such as siblings, cousins) or more broadly to members of a tribe or compatriots, depending on context.

Semantic Range

blood relative, member of the same extended family, kin, kinsman, kinsfolk, compatriot, countryman, member of the same ethnic group or nation

Root / Etymology

From Greek σύν (with, together) and γένος (race, kind, lineage), meaning 'of the same descent.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, συγγενής originally referred broadly to those of common descent, often blood relatives within a household or extended family, but could also mean 'fellow tribesman' or 'compatriot.' By the Hellenistic and Koine periods, the term remained common for direct family connections but sometimes expanded to mean a fellow member of one's ethnic group or community. In the Septuagint, συγγενής typically translates Hebrew terms for close kin or family member, but can also render words for clan member or compatriot. In the New Testament, the term most frequently implies a blood relation (e.g., 'kinsman'), but in certain passages it clearly means a fellow Judean or Israelite (for example, when Paul refers to 'my συγγενεῖς according to the flesh,' he means fellow Israelites/Judeans, not only literal family members). Standard English translations often render the term as 'kinsman,' 'relative,' or 'countryman,' but each of these only partially covers the Greek term’s semantic range. The English 'cousin' is too narrow for most contexts, as συγγενής denotes a broader familial or kinship tie. Related terms: γένος (genos, 'race/lineage'), φυλή (phylē, 'tribe'), and πατριά (patria, 'clan/family'), each specifying a different aspect of social and genealogical identity.

Translation Consistency

primary "relative" 6 occurrences

Neutral, modern, and broadly covers the primary sense of συγγενής — a blood relation or member of the same family/people. 'Relative' matches typical English usage for both close kin and extended family/tribal members, avoiding the gendered feel of 'kinsman' while remaining natural and concise.

Alternatives (5 occurrences):
"blood-relatives" (2x) "kinsman" (2x) "kinsmen" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from σύν and γένος; a relative (by blood); by extension, a fellow countryman:--cousin, kin(-sfolk, -sman).

Root Family

συγγενής (syngenēs) — birth, lineage, shared descent, family line

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4773-02 συγγενεῖς suggeneis ADJ.S NOM M PL kinsmen blood relatives blood relatives 5
G4773-05 συγγενῶν suggenon ADJ.S GEN M PL kinsmen of blood relatives of blood relatives 2
G4773-04 συγγενεῦσιν suggeneusin ADJ.S DAT M PL kinsfolk to blood-relatives blood-relatives 2
G4773-03 συγγενὴς suggenes ADJ.S NOM M SG kinsman same-descent kinsman kinsman 1
G4773-01 συγγενῆ suggene ADJ.R ACC M SG kinsman a blood relative kinsman 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4773-04 Mark 6:4 συγγενεῦσιν suggeneusin ADJ.S DAT M PL relatives to blood-relatives blood-relatives
G4773-02 Luke 1:58 συγγενεῖς suggeneis ADJ.S NOM M PL relatives blood relatives blood relatives
G4773-04 Luke 2:44 συγγενεῦσιν suggeneusin ADJ.S DAT M PL kinsfolk to blood-relatives to blood-relatives
G4773-02 Luke 14:12 συγγενεῖς suggeneis ADJ.S ACC M PL relatives blood relatives blood relatives
G4773-05 Luke 21:16 συγγενῶν suggenon ADJ.S GEN M PL relatives of blood relatives of blood relatives
G4773-03 John 18:26 συγγενὴς suggenes ADJ.S NOM M SG kinsman same-descent kinsman kinsman
G4773-02 Acts 10:24 συγγενεῖς suggeneis ADJ.S ACC M PL kinsmen blood relatives blood relatives
G4773-05 Romans 9:3 συγγενῶν suggenon ADJ.S GEN M PL kinsmen of blood relatives of blood relatives
G4773-02 Romans 16:7 συγγενεῖς suggeneis ADJ.S ACC M PL kinsmen blood relatives kinsmen
G4773-01 Romans 16:11 συγγενῆ suggene ADJ.R ACC M SG kinsman a blood relative kinsman
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