Brief Overview of Γυνή (G1135: Gynē)

Gynē (pronounced goo-NAY, γυνή) is a Greek noun found under Strong’s Concordance number G1135. The word is primarily used to refer to a “woman” or “wife.” The term is rooted in the general Greek word for an adult female and can denote either a married or unmarried woman depending on the context. In the New Testament, Gynē is frequently used to refer to women in various roles, such as wives, mothers, and female disciples. The word is foundational in discussions about gender roles, family dynamics, and social structures in biblical texts.

Detailed Description from Lexicons

In BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, and Gingrich), Gynē is defined as “woman” or “wife,” with the specific meaning often determined by the context in which it is used. BDAG emphasizes that Gynē can refer to any adult female, but it is frequently used in the New Testament to describe a woman in relation to her husband, thus often translating to “wife.” The lexicon notes that the term is pivotal in discussions of household codes, marriage, and the roles of women in the early Christian communities.

Thayer’s Lexicon concurs with BDAG, defining Gynē as “a woman” or “a wife.” Thayer’s emphasizes the word’s use in contexts that discuss family relationships, marriage, and gender roles. The lexicon highlights the flexibility of the term, noting that Gynē can refer to a woman in a general sense or more specifically to a wife, depending on the passage.

The LSJ (Liddell, Scott, Jones) lexicon also supports this interpretation, defining Gynē as “woman” or “wife.” LSJ explains that the term was widely used in ancient Greek literature to refer to women in various roles, including as wives, mothers, and citizens. The lexicon also notes that Gynē was used in legal and social contexts to delineate the rights and responsibilities of women, particularly in relation to marriage and family.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance describes Gynē as “woman” or “wife,” focusing on its use in the New Testament to refer to women in both general and specific contexts. The concordance highlights that Gynē appears frequently in discussions of marriage, family roles, and gender dynamics, emphasizing its importance in understanding biblical teachings on these topics.

Gynē is directly mentioned in several New Testament passages. For example, in Ephesians 5:22, Paul instructs, “Wives (γυναῖκες), submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” Here, Gynē is translated as “wives,” reflecting its contextual meaning. Another example is found in Mark 10:6, where Jesus speaks of God creating “male and female,” using Gynē to refer to “woman” as part of the creation narrative.

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

In classical Greek literature, Gynē is used extensively to refer to women in various roles. One example is in Homer’s “Iliad,” where Gynē is used to describe women both in the domestic sphere as wives and mothers, and in broader social contexts, reflecting their roles within the Greek household and society.

Another example can be found in Euripides’ tragedies, where Gynē is often used to explore the complexities of women’s roles, particularly in the context of marriage, family, and social expectations. Euripides uses the term to highlight both the strengths and vulnerabilities of his female characters.

A third example is from Aristotle, who uses Gynē in his works on politics and ethics to discuss the nature of women and their roles in society. Aristotle’s use of Gynē reflects the prevailing attitudes of his time, often discussing women in the context of their roles as wives and mothers, and their place within the household.

Summary

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Gynē (pronounced goo-NAY, γυνή) is a Greek noun meaning “woman” or “wife,” depending on the context. Derived from the general Greek word for an adult female, Gynē is used extensively in the New Testament and classical Greek literature to refer to women in various roles, including as wives, mothers, and citizens. Lexicons such as BDAG, Thayer’s, and LSJ describe Gynē as a versatile term that can denote a woman in general or specifically refer to a wife. In the New Testament, Gynē is central to discussions on marriage, gender roles, and family dynamics, while in classical Greek literature, it is used to explore the social and domestic roles of women. The term’s usage in both biblical and classical contexts highlights its importance in understanding the cultural and social expectations placed on women in ancient times.