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Divine Supremacy: θεός (Strong’s G2316: theos) Reveals Ultimate Authority
θεός
Pronounced: theh-OS
Strong’s G2316: The supreme divine being who created and sustains all things; used of the one true God, but also of pagan deities (gods), and metaphorically of powerful figures. From Proto-Indo-European *dhēs-, meaning “sacred, divine.” Central to biblical theology, expressing both divine nature and relationship.
U – Unveiling this Word
The word θεός (theos) stands as one of the most foundational terms in biblical theology, carrying profound significance in both religious and cultural contexts. Its primary meaning denotes the supreme divine being, the Creator and Sustainer of all existence. In Greek culture, it was used for various deities, but in biblical usage, it predominantly refers to the one true God. The early church distinctively applied this term to express both the unity of God and the deity of Jesus Messiah. Today, this word remains crucial in theological discourse, helping articulate concepts of divine nature, authority, and relationship with creation.
N – Necessary Information
- Greek Word: θεός, theos, [theh-OS]
- Detailed pronunciation: theta-epsilon-omicron-sigma [theh-OS]
- Part of Speech: Noun
Etymology:
- Root: From Proto-Indo-European *dhēs- (sacred, divine)
- No prefixes or suffixes in base form
- Represents fundamental concept of deity
D – Defining Meanings
- Supreme divine being
- Creator and sovereign ruler
- Divine nature or essence
- (Lower case) deity in general reference
Translation Options:
- God – Most precise when referring to the Supreme Being
- god – Appropriate for references to pagan deities
- divine being – Useful when discussing abstract theological concepts
- spiritual being – Useful to indicate the type of bodies they have
R – Reviewing Morphology
Noun Features:
- Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
- Number: Singular, Plural
- Gender: Masculine
- Declension: Second declension
The word morphs similarly to other masculine second-declension nouns:
Nominative: θεός (theos)
Genitive: θεοῦ (theou)
Dative: θεῷ (theō)
Accusative: θεόν (theon)
Related forms:
- Adjective: θεῖος (divine)
- Adverb: θείως (divinely)
S – Studying Lexicon Insights
The comprehensive analysis of θεός across major lexicons reveals its fundamental importance in biblical literature. BDAG emphasizes its use for the one true God while acknowledging its application to pagan deities. Thayer’s highlights its evolution from polytheistic Greek culture to monotheistic Jewish and Christian usage. LSJ provides extensive classical references, while Vine’s emphasizes its theological significance. Strong’s connects it to the concept of supreme divinity, and Moulton and Milligan demonstrate its usage in everyday Koine Greek. LEH shows its consistent translation of Hebrew אלהים (Elohim) in the Septuagint.
T – Tracing Related Scriptures
First appearance:
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, [God] [θεός] with us.” Matthew 1:23
Additional References:
John 1:1, John 20:28, Romans 9:5, Hebrews 1:8, Titus 2:13
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A– Analyzing Classical Usage
| Author: Work | Text |
|---|---|
| Homer: Iliad | “The immortal [god] [θεός] smiled upon the battlefield” |
| Plato: Republic | “And so [god] [θεός] must always be represented as He truly is” |
| Aristotle: Metaphysics | “The divine [θεός] is that which moves all things while remaining unmoved” |
N – Noteworthy Summary
The word θεός represents the pinnacle of biblical revelation, expressing both the transcendent nature of God and His immanent presence with His creation. It bridges the gap between human understanding and divine reality, helping us grasp the concept of the infinite within our finite minds. Through the incarnation, we see θεός taking on flesh in Jesus Messiah, demonstrating God’s ultimate expression of love for humanity and His desire for relationship with us. This good news reveals that the supreme θεός is not distant but intimately involved in human history and personal salvation.
D – Did You Know?
- θεός appears over 1300 times in the New Testament
- It’s one of the few words that maintains consistent meaning across biblical and secular Greek literature
- Early Christians uniquely applied θεός to Jesus, revolutionizing monotheistic understanding
Note: While this entry strives for accuracy, readers engaged in critical research should verify citations and keyword occurrences in their Bible translation of choice. For Biblical citations, the F.O.G Bible project recommends Logos Bible software.
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Jean Paul Joseph
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