Divine Motherhood: τεκνογονέω (Strong’s G5041: teknogoneō) Reflects Sacred Family Design

Strong’s G5041: A compound verb meaning “to bear children,” derived from τέκνον (child) and γεννάω (to beget). Used primarily in pastoral contexts discussing family responsibilities and the sacred role of motherhood in Christian households, emphasizing both the physical act and spiritual significance of bearing and raising children.

U – Unveiling the Word

τεκνογονέω represents more than just the biological act of childbearing; it encompasses the entire sacred journey of motherhood within God’s design for family. This compound verb combines the nurturing aspect of raising children (τέκνον) with the creative act of bringing forth life (γεννάω). In the pastoral epistles, particularly in 1 Timothy 5:14, it appears in the context of guidance for young widows, emphasizing the holy calling of motherhood as part of God’s redemptive plan. The early church recognized this word as embodying both the physical and spiritual dimensions of raising children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, a concept that remains vitally relevant in today’s world where the sacred nature of family is increasingly challenged.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: τεκνογονέω, teknogoneō, tek-nog-on-eh’-o
• Phonetic Guide: tek (as in “tech”) + no (as in “know”) + gon (as in “gone”) + eh + o (as in “oh”)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• τέκνον (teknon) – child, offspring
• γεννάω (gennaō) – to beget, bear, bring forth
• -έω (-eō) – verb ending indicating continuous action

D – Defining Meanings

• To bear children
• To engage in the process of childbearing
• To fulfill the role of motherhood

For compound words:

• τέκνον contributes the focus on children and nurturing
• γεννάω adds the aspect of bringing forth or generating
• -έω suffix indicates ongoing action or state

Translation Options:

• “to bear children” – emphasizes the physical act while maintaining the dignity of the process
• “to raise children” – captures the ongoing nature implied by the -έω suffix
• “to mother children” – encompasses both bearing and nurturing aspects

E – Exploring Similar Words

• τεκνοτροφέω (teknotropheō) – to raise children See G5044
• γεννάω (gennaō) – to beget or bear See G1080
• τεκνίον (teknion) – little child See G5040

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Verbal Features:

• Tense: Present
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Infinitive
• Person: N/A (infinitive)
• Number: N/A (infinitive)
• Aspect: Continuous/Progressive

The word would appear in different forms:

• Present Active: τεκνογονέω (I bear children)
• Present Participle: τεκνογονοῦσα (bearing children)
• Aorist: ἐτεκνογόνησα (I bore children)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG presents τεκνογονέω as specifically referring to the bearing of children, while Thayer’s expands this to include the broader concept of motherhood. LSJ notes its rare occurrence in classical Greek, suggesting its specialized use in Christian contexts. Vine’s emphasizes its connection to family life and household management, while Strong’s highlights its compound nature. Moulton and Milligan note its appearance in papyri relating to family matters. The lexical evidence suggests this term was carefully chosen in pastoral contexts to elevate the status of motherhood within the Christian community, combining both practical and spiritual aspects of raising children.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“Therefore I want the younger widows to get married, bear children [τεκνογονεῖν], keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach.” 1 Timothy 5:14

Additional References:
This word appears only once in the New Testament.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

τεκνογονέω represents a profound theological truth about God’s design for family and procreation. It combines the sacred act of bearing children with the ongoing responsibility of nurturing them in the faith. This word appears in pastoral instruction that upholds the dignity of motherhood as a holy calling. In our contemporary context, where family values are often challenged, τεκνογονέω reminds us that bearing and raising children is part of God’s redemptive plan, reflecting His own nature as our Heavenly Father who brings forth and nurtures His children through the Messiah.

D – Did You Know?

• τεκνογονέω is one of the few New Testament words that specifically addresses the role of motherhood in the context of church leadership instruction
• The word combines both the immediate act of childbearing and the ongoing process of child-rearing
• Its single appearance in the New Testament occurs in guidance specifically for younger widows, highlighting the church’s care for family structure

Strong’s G5041: A compound verb meaning “to bear children,” derived from τέκνον (child) and γεννάω (to beget). Used primarily in pastoral contexts discussing family responsibilities and the sacred role of motherhood in Christian households, emphasizing both the physical act and spiritual significance of bearing and raising children.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: motherhood, children, family, pastoral-epistles, child-bearing, parenting, Timothy, widows, household, nurture​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​