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Unveiling the Word

Understanding the Greek word μήτηρ (mētēr), meaning “mother,” offers profound insights into New Testament interpretation. This word is significant in the biblical narrative, as it refers not only to biological motherhood but also to spiritual and symbolic roles. The term appears in key passages, including its first occurrence in Matthew 1:18, referring to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Exploring this word helps us understand its cultural, spiritual, and familial implications in ancient Greek society and early Christianity, where motherhood carried significant weight.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: μήτηρ (mētēr), pronounced MAY-tare.

Etymology: μήτηρ comes from the Proto-Indo-European root méh₂tēr, which has parallels in other Indo-European languages like Latin (mater) and English (mother). It is a basic word deeply rooted in familial and societal structures, signifying both biological and nurturing relationships.

Part of Speech: μήτηρ is a feminine noun. As a noun, it carries significant connotations beyond just biological motherhood. It can refer to spiritual or metaphorical motherhood in different contexts, such as describing the church as a mother or referring to ancestral lineage.

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Defining Meanings

1. Biological Mother: The most straightforward meaning of μήτηρ is a biological mother, used to describe the female parent of a child. This is evident in Matthew 1:18 when it refers to Mary, the mother of Jesus.

2. Spiritual Motherhood: In Christian theology, μήτηρ can be used metaphorically to describe a figure who nurtures or fosters spiritual growth. This concept appears when the church is referred to as a mother who cares for believers.

3. Ancestral and Symbolic Mother: The term also extends to matriarchal figures, such as the “mothers” of Israel (e.g., Sarah), who are seen as foundational figures for an entire people or nation.

Exploring Similar Words

1. γυνή (gynē) [pronunciation: goo-NAY]: This word means “woman” or “wife.” While it may describe a female in general, μήτηρ specifically refers to a woman in the role of motherhood.

2. τροφός (trophos) [pronunciation: TRO-fos]: This word means “nurse” or “caretaker.” While related to nurturing, it is distinct from μήτηρ, which implies a permanent and familial bond.

3. πατήρ (patēr) [pronunciation: pah-TAIR]: This is the male counterpart to μήτηρ, meaning “father.” Both terms are foundational in familial language and often appear together in scripture to describe parental roles.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a noun, μήτηρ follows the third declension in Greek. Below is a summary of its declension:

• Nominative Singular: μήτηρ (mētēr) – subject of the sentence.

• Genitive Singular: μητρός (mētrós) – possessive, “of the mother.”

• Dative Singular: μητρί (mētrí) – indirect object, “to/for the mother.”

• Accusative Singular: μητέρα (mētéra) – direct object.

The plural forms follow the typical third declension pattern, e.g., nominative plural μῆτρες (mētres), genitive plural μητρῶν (mētrōn).

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Studying Lexicon Insights

In biblical and classical Greek lexicons, μήτηρ consistently refers to the role of a mother. However, its usage in the New Testament expands to more profound spiritual and theological contexts, especially concerning Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the “motherhood” of the church. In classical Greek texts, μήτηρ commonly refers to maternal figures but also plays symbolic roles in mythological and philosophical contexts, where the mother figure is central to stories of creation, life, and wisdom.

This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Matthew 1:18 – “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother (mētēr) Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.”

2. Matthew 12:48 – “But he replied to the man who told him, ‘Who is my mother (mētēr), and who are my brothers?’”

3. John 19:25 – “Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother (mētēr) and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Author Name of Work Text with μήτηρ (mētēr)

Homer Iliad “His mother (mētēr) wept bitterly at the news.”

Sophocles Oedipus Rex “I am cursed by my own mother (mētēr).”

Septuagint Genesis 3:20 “And Adam named his wife Eve, because she was the mother (mētēr) of all living.”

Noteworthy Summary

μήτηρ (mētēr) is a foundational term in both biblical and classical Greek, denoting a mother in familial, spiritual, and symbolic contexts. Its usage in the New Testament, particularly in reference to Mary, emphasizes its significance in both theology and culture. In classical literature, μήτηρ also appears in mythological and philosophical writings, where the role of the mother extends to the symbolic and the divine.

Did You Know?

• In ancient Greek mythology, many goddesses were referred to as μήτηρ, such as Gaia, the “Mother Earth,” symbolizing creation and life.

• The word μήτηρ is used nearly 90 times in the New Testament, reflecting its importance in familial and spiritual contexts.

• Early Christian writers often referred to the church as a “mother,” using the term μήτηρ to describe its nurturing role in the spiritual life of believers.