Brief Overview of στρουθίον (Strong’s G4765: strouthion)

Strong’s G4765: A small bird, specifically a sparrow. Diminutive of στρουθός (sparrow). Used by Jesus to illustrate God’s detailed care for His creation and His children. These common birds were sold cheaply in markets yet were under God’s watchful care.

U- Unveiling the Word

Στρουθίον represents more than just a small bird; it embodies Jesus’ teaching about God’s intimate care for His creation. As a diminutive form, it specifically refers to the smallest, most common birds sold in markets. Jesus uses these seemingly insignificant creatures to demonstrate God’s detailed providence and care for His children. Early church fathers saw in this word a powerful illustration of divine love extending to the smallest details of creation. Today, στρουθίον continues to remind us of God’s intimate care for every aspect of our lives.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: στρουθίον, strouthion, /stroo-thee’-on/
• Detailed Pronunciation: stroo-THEE-on (emphasis on second syllable)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• Root word: στρουθός (strouthos) – “sparrow”
• -ίον (-ion) – diminutive suffix
  The combination creates a diminutive meaning “little sparrow”

D – Defining Meanings

• Small bird (particularly sparrow)
• Common market bird
• Little sparrow
• Small wild bird

For compound words: Not applicable as στρουθίον is a simple noun with diminutive suffix.

Translation Options:

1. “Sparrow” – Most common translation
2. “Little bird” – Captures diminutive aspect
3. “House sparrow” – Specifies common variety

E – Exploring Similar Words

1. ὄρνις (ornis) /or’-nis/ – bird, fowl, more general term. See G3733
2. πετεινόν (peteinon) /pet-i-non’/ – flying creature, bird. See G4071
3. νοσσίον (nossion) /nos-see’-on/ – young bird, chick. See G3556

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a noun, στρουθίον exhibits these features:

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

Examples of morphological changes:

• Singular: στρουθίον (nominative/accusative), στρουθίου (genitive), στρουθίῳ (dative)
• Plural: στρουθία (nominative/accusative), στρουθίων (genitive), στρουθίοις (dative)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its reference to common market birds. Thayer’s notes its diminutive nature. LSJ documents its use for small birds generally. Vine’s highlights its use in Jesus’ teaching. Strong’s connects it to common sparrows. Moulton and Milligan show its everyday usage.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:

“Are not two [στρουθίον] sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.” Matthew 10:29

Additional References:
Matthew 10:31
Luke 12:6
Luke 12:7

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Στρουθίον beautifully illustrates God’s intimate care for His creation and His children. Jesus uses these common birds to show that if God values and cares for such small creatures, how much more does He value and care for those made in His image. This reminds us of our worth in God’s eyes and His detailed attention to our lives.

D – Did You Know?

1. Sparrows were among the cheapest items sold in ancient markets.
2. They were often used as food by the poor.
3. Early Christians saw the sparrow as a symbol of God’s providence.

Strong’s G4765: A small bird, specifically a sparrow. Diminutive of στρουθός (sparrow). Used by Jesus to illustrate God’s detailed care for His creation and His children. These common birds were sold cheaply in markets yet were under God’s watchful care.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: sparrow, birds, divine-care, providence, god’s-love, creation, jesus-teaching, divine-attention, worth, greek-noun​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​