Brief Overview of πετεινόν (Strong’s G4071: peteinon)

Strong’s G4071: A noun meaning “bird” or “flying creature.” In biblical contexts, often used as an illustration of God’s providential care for His creation. Jesus specifically uses birds as examples of how God provides for His creatures, teaching trust in divine provision.

U- Unveiling the Word

Πετεινόν (peteinon) describes birds or flying creatures, derived from their ability to soar through the air. In the New Testament, particularly in Jesus’s teachings, birds serve as powerful illustrations of God’s providential care. Jesus points to birds as evidence of God’s faithful provision, using them to teach about freedom from anxiety and trust in divine care. Early church writers expanded on this imagery to discuss God’s sovereignty and care. Today, this word continues to remind believers of God’s detailed attention to and provision for His creation.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: πετεινόν, peteinon, pet-i-non’
• Detailed pronunciation: pet (as in “pet”) + i (as in “it”) + non (as in “non”)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:
Derived from πέτομαι (petomai) meaning “to fly”

• -ινος (-inos) suffix indicating nature or character

D – Defining Meanings

• Bird
• Flying creature
• Winged animal
• Creature of the air
• Fowl

Translation Options:

1. Birds – most common and natural English equivalent
2. Flying creatures – more comprehensive term
3. Fowls – traditional translation reflecting broader category

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ὄρνεον (orneon) [or’-neh-on] – bird, more specific
• στρουθίον (strouthion) [stroo-thee’-on] – sparrow, specific species
• πτηνόν (ptēnon) [ptay-non’] – winged creature

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Noun Features:

• Case: Nominative, Accusative, Genitive, Dative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Neuter
• Second Declension

Example forms:
Nominative singular: πετεινόν
Genitive singular: πετεινοῦ
Accusative plural: πετεινά

Cross-references:

• Verb: πέτομαι (to fly)
• Adjective: πετεινός (flying)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in Jesus’s teachings about divine provision. Thayer’s notes its general reference to flying creatures. LSJ documents its broad application to winged creatures. Vine’s connects it to divine care illustrations. Strong’s highlights its derivation from flying. Moulton and Milligan note its common usage in everyday contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

“Look at the birds [πετεινόν] of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26)

Additional References:
Matthew 8:20
Matthew 13:4
Mark 4:4
Luke 8:5
Luke 9:58
Luke 13:19
Acts 10:12
Acts 11:6

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Πετεινόν beautifully illustrates God’s providential care for His creation. The good news of King Jesus includes the assurance that the God who cares for birds values us infinitely more. This word reminds us that if God attends to the needs of birds, how much more will He care for His children who bear His image.

D – Did You Know?

1. Used in ancient augury practices before being redeemed for Christian teaching.
2. Early Christians used bird imagery in catacomb art to represent the soul.
3. The word appears in ancient agricultural texts discussing crop protection.

Strong’s G4071: A noun denoting birds or flying creatures, frequently used in Jesus’s teachings to illustrate God’s providential care. Emphasizes divine provision and watchfulness over creation, particularly in teaching trust and freedom from anxiety.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: #birds #providence #creation #care #anxiety #trust #Jesus #teaching #Matthew #NewTestament #BiblicalGreek #Theology #GodsCare​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​