εὐγενής
eugenēs
of noble birth
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word εὐγενής (eugenēs) is a term that describes someone of noble birth. Its occurrence in the Bible three times underscores its importance in the narrative, likely used to highlight the social status of individuals. Based on its definition and limited usage, it's clear that εὐγενής is primarily concerned with the ancestry or lineage of a person, emphasizing the idea that their status is derived from their birth rather than personal achievements. While its meaning may seem straightforward, its context in the biblical texts can vary, reflecting the cultural significance of nobility in ancient Greek and Roman societies. The significance of εὐγενής in the Bible may not be explicitly theological, but rather sociocultural. It highlights how the social status of an individual can intersect with their spiritual or personal journey, possibly illustrating the complex interplay between wealth, power, and faith in ancient times.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences across the text
He said therefore, “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.
Acts 17:11Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
1 Corinthians 1:26For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble;