Brief Overview of Βρέφος (G1025: Brephos)

Transliteration and Meaning:
The Greek noun βρέφος (Brephos), pronounced bref-os, refers to a “baby,” “infant,” or “newborn.” The term is used broadly to describe a very young child, whether still in the womb, just born, or in the earliest stages of life. Brephos encompasses both the unborn child (embryo) and the newborn, highlighting the state of early human development.

Lexical Insights and Biblical Usage:
In the BDAG lexicon, Brephos is defined as “infant, baby, child,” with an emphasis on the earliest stages of life. It is used in the New Testament to describe both a child within the womb (as in the case of John the Baptist in Luke 1:41) and a newborn child (as in Luke 2:12, where the term is used for the infant Jesus). The word captures the innocence and vulnerability of the earliest stages of human life.

Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon similarly defines brephos as “an unborn child, embryo” and “a newborn child, infant.” It is noted for its use in contexts that emphasize the youth and tenderness of the individual. The term is particularly significant in the New Testament, where it is used to convey the humility and simplicity associated with infancy.

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In the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, brephos is listed with the primary definition of “babe” or “infant.” The concordance further notes that the term can refer to a child in the earliest moments of life, whether inside or outside the womb. This word appears several times in the New Testament, emphasizing the beginnings of life, both physically and metaphorically, in contexts where the innocence of a baby is highlighted.

Classical Greek Usage:
In classical Greek literature, brephos is consistently used to describe infants and very young children. For instance, in the writings of Homer, brephos is employed to describe the offspring of gods and heroes, often emphasizing their vulnerability and the care they require.

Another example is found in the works of Hippocrates, where brephos is used in medical contexts to describe the stages of early human development, particularly focusing on the health and wellbeing of newborns. Hippocrates often discusses the care necessary for these infants, reflecting the importance of nurturing at this stage of life.

The playwright Euripides also uses brephos in his tragedies to evoke the emotional weight of scenes involving children, particularly in the context of family and inheritance. The use of this term in such a setting underscores the innocence and dependency of infants, often in contrast to the more complex lives of adults.

Summary:
The Greek word βρέφος (Brephos) is a noun that refers to an “infant,” “baby,” or “newborn,” and it is used to describe very young children at the earliest stages of life. The term encompasses both unborn children (embryos) and newborns, highlighting the vulnerability and innocence associated with infancy. Lexicons like BDAG and Thayer’s emphasize its application to the youngest individuals, whether inside or outside the womb. In the New Testament, brephos is used to convey the humility and purity of infancy, often in the context of significant events such as the birth of Jesus. In classical Greek literature, brephos is consistently used to describe infants, with examples found in the works of Homer, Hippocrates, and Euripides. These usages highlight the importance of nurturing and protecting life at its earliest stages. The term brephos serves as a poignant reminder of the beginnings of human life, both physically and metaphorically, symbolizing the purity and potential that comes with new life.