Brief Overview of ἀνεψιός (Strong’s G431)

The Greek noun ἀνεψιός (anepsios) refers to a “cousin” or a relative, specifically denoting a male cousin. It is derived from the root ἀνεψιός (anepsios), which implies a familial relationship that is closer than distant relatives but not as immediate as siblings or parents.

Detailed Overview

According to Strong’s Concordance, ἀνεψιός (G431) appears in the New Testament in contexts referring to a cousin or relative. For example, in Colossians 4:10, the term is used to describe Mark, who is identified as the cousin of Barnabas. This indicates a family relationship that is understood to be a cousin or a more distant male relative within the family hierarchy.

The Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich (BDAG) Greek-English Lexicon elaborates on this by defining ἀνεψιός as “a cousin” or “a male relative.” BDAG notes that this term is used specifically for a male cousin, reflecting a familial bond that is not as close as a brother but still significant within the family context. This definition is consistent with its use in the New Testament to indicate a specific type of relative.

The Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon provides a similar definition, describing ἀνεψιός as a “cousin” or “relative.” LSJ confirms that the term is used to denote a male cousin, aligning with its application in biblical texts to describe familial relationships.

In summary, ἀνεψιός means “cousin” or “male relative,” specifically referring to a cousin. This definition is consistently supported by Strong’s Concordance, BDAG, and LSJ, each contributing to the understanding of the term’s use in biblical and classical Greek contexts.