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μονογενής

Pronounced: ‘mono’ as in ‘monotone’, ‘gen’ as in ‘genesis’, ‘ace’ as in ‘base’

Strong’s G3439: A compound of μόνος (alone) and γένος (kind/race), meaning “only-begotten”, “unique” or “one-of-a-kind.” Particularly significant in Johannine literature describing Jesus’s unique relationship with the Father. Carries profound theological weight in early Christian discussions of Christ’s divine nature.

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Whether you’re looking for a brief overview or want to learn the ancient language, this study uses the U.N.D.E.R.S.T.A.N.D Framework for both goals.

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U – Unveiling this Word:

Μονογενής is a theologically rich term that primarily denotes uniqueness and singularity, particularly in familial relationships. In New Testament usage, it carries supreme significance in describing Jesus’s unique relationship with God the Father. The word appears prominently in John’s writings, where it becomes a cornerstone term for understanding Christ’s divine sonship. Early church fathers extensively used μονογενής in Christological debates, particularly at the Council of Nicaea, to articulate Christ’s unique divine nature. Today, it remains central to orthodox Christian understanding of Jesus’s identity and relationship with the Father.

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N – Necessary Information:

• Greek Word: μονογενής, monogenēs, [mon-og-en-ace’]
• Pronunciation Guide: ‘mono’ as in ‘monotone’, ‘gen’ as in ‘genesis’, ‘ace’ as in ‘base’
• Part of Speech: Adjective

Etymology:

• Prefix: μόνος (monos) – alone, only, single
• Root: γένος (genos) – kind, race, offspring
• Suffix: -ής (-ēs) – adjectival ending
• Function: Forms compound adjective expressing unique relationship or singular nature

F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon (?)

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D – Defining Meanings:

• Only-begotten, unique
• One and only
• Single of its kind

For compound words:
Μόνος contributes the concept of “only” or “alone,” while γένος adds the notion of origin or kind, creating a term that emphasizes absolute uniqueness within a category or relationship.

Translation Options:

• Only-begotten – Emphasizes unique generation/origin
• One and only – Captures uniqueness without generation emphasis
• Unique/Singular – Focuses on absolute distinctiveness

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E – Exploring Similar Words:

• μόνος (monos) [mon’-os] – alone, focuses solely on singularity
• πρωτότοκος (prōtotokos) [pro-tot-ok’-os] – firstborn, emphasizes primacy
• ἀγαπητός (agapētos) [ag-ap-ay-tos’] – beloved, emphasizes affection

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R – Reviewing Morphology:

As an adjective, μονογενής exhibits:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Masculine, Feminine, Neuter
• Third Declension

Example forms:

• Masculine/Feminine nominative: μονογενής
• Neuter nominative: μονογενές
• Genitive: μονογενοῦς

Is this all Greek to you? Click here for a beginners guide to reading Biblical Greek.

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S – Studying Lexicon Insights:

BDAG emphasizes its use for only children and unique entities. Thayer’s highlights its theological significance in Johannine literature. LSJ provides classical examples of unique specimens or sole representatives. Vine’s stresses its importance in describing Christ’s relationship with the Father. Moulton and Milligan note its use in family relationships in papyri.

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T – Tracing Related Scriptures:

First appearance:

Luke 7:12: “As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only [μονογενής] son of his mother, and she was a widow.”

Additional References:
John 1:14, John 1:18, John 3:16, John 3:18, Hebrews 11:17, 1 John 4:9

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A– Analyzing Classical Usage:

Author: Work	Text
Plato: Timaeus	“The cosmos is unique [μονογενής] and one of its kind in all creation.”
Herodotus: Histories	“She had but one [μονογενής] child, whom she cherished above all.”
Aeschylus: Agamemnon	“Iphigenia, the only-begotten [μονογενής] daughter of the house.”

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N – Noteworthy Summary:

Μονογενής powerfully proclaims the good news by revealing Jesus’s unique relationship with the Father. It tells us that God sent not just any son, but His one and only Son, demonstrating the magnitude of His love for humanity. This word testifies to both Christ’s divine uniqueness and the Father’s sacrificial love in sending His μονογενής Son for our salvation.

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D – Did You Know?

• The translation debate between “only-begotten” and “one and only” has significant theological implications
• Μονογενής appears only 9 times in the New Testament, with 5 references to Jesus
• The term played a crucial role in the Nicene Creed’s formulation

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Strong’s G3439: A compound adjective from μόνος (alone) and γένος (kind), describing absolute uniqueness, particularly in familial relationships. In NT usage, primarily describes Jesus’s unique relationship with the Father, fundamental to Christian understanding of Christ’s divine nature.

Part of speech: Adjective

Tags: #Christology #divine-sonship #uniqueness #John’s-Gospel #incarnation #Jesus-identity #Trinity #divine-nature #only-begotten #Nicene-Creed​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Note: While this entry strives for accuracy, readers engaged in critical research should verify citations independently. For Biblical citations, the F.O.G Bible project recommends Logos Bible software.