Divine Heritage: τέκνον (Strong’s G5043: teknon) Reveals Treasured Family Identity

Strong’s G5043: A neuter noun meaning “child” or “offspring,” derived from τίκτω (to bring forth). Used extensively in the New Testament to describe both physical children and spiritual children of God, emphasizing the intimate relationship between parent and child, particularly in the context of God’s family through faith.

U – Unveiling the Word

τέκνον carries profound significance in biblical usage, extending beyond mere biological offspring to encompass the deep spiritual reality of divine sonship. Its root meaning connects to the idea of bearing or bringing forth, emphasizing the intimate relationship between parent and child. In the New Testament, it appears frequently in contexts describing both natural family relationships and the spiritual relationship between God and His children through faith in the Messiah. The early church particularly emphasized this spiritual dimension, using τέκνον to express the believer’s privileged position as God’s beloved child. This spiritual adoption theology remains central to Christian identity today, reminding believers of their secure position in God’s family and their inheritance rights as His children.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: τέκνον, teknon, tek’-non
• Phonetic Guide: tek (as in “tech”) + non (as in “non-stop”)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• From τίκτω (tiktō) – to bring forth, bear, produce
• -νον (-non) – nominal suffix indicating the result of an action

D – Defining Meanings

• A child (in relation to parents)
• An offspring
• A descendant
• A spiritual child
• One who is beloved or cherished

Translation Options:

• “child” – emphasizes the relationship aspect
• “offspring” – highlights the generational connection
• “dear child” – captures the emotional warmth often present in the term

E – Exploring Similar Words

• υἱός (huios) – son, focusing more on position/rights See G5207
• παῖς (pais) – child/servant, broader term See G3816
• τεκνίον (teknion) – little child, diminutive form See G5040

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Nominal Features:

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

Examples:

• Nominative singular: τέκνον (child)
• Genitive singular: τέκνου (of a child)
• Nominative plural: τέκνα (children)
• Vocative: τέκνον (O child)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

Lexical sources provide rich insights into τέκνον’s significance. BDAG emphasizes its use in both literal and figurative contexts, noting its frequent appearance in familial addresses. Thayer’s highlights its connection to spiritual sonship, particularly in Johannine literature. LSJ traces its classical usage, showing its evolution from purely biological offspring to beloved child. Vine’s notes its emotional warmth compared to υἱός. Strong’s connects it to τίκτω, emphasizing the birth relationship. Moulton and Milligan document its common use in papyri as a term of endearment. The combined evidence suggests τέκνον carried significant emotional and spiritual weight in both secular and religious contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children [τέκνα], and she refused to be comforted, because they were no more.” Matthew 2:18

Additional References:
Matthew 3:9, Matthew 7:11, Matthew 9:2, John 1:12, John 11:52, Romans 8:16, 1 John 3:1, 1 John 3:2, 1 John 3:10

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

τέκνον powerfully expresses both human family bonds and our spiritual adoption into God’s family. Through faith in the Messiah, believers become τέκνα θεοῦ (children of God), receiving all the privileges and inheritance rights of beloved children. This term emphasizes the intimate, loving relationship between the Father and His children, rather than mere legal status. It reminds us that through the Messiah’s redemptive work, we are not merely servants but beloved children of the Most High God, fully embraced in His family and entitled to call Him “Abba, Father.”

D – Did You Know?

• τέκνον appears over 100 times in the New Testament
• Its use in spiritual adoption contexts influenced early Christian understanding of salvation
• John’s epistles use τέκνον exclusively when referring to believers as God’s children

Strong’s G5043: A neuter noun meaning “child” or “offspring,” derived from τίκτω (to bring forth). Used extensively in the New Testament to describe both physical children and spiritual children of God, emphasizing the intimate relationship between parent and child, particularly in the context of God’s family through faith.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: children, family, adoption, sonship, inheritance, beloved, John, spiritual-family, divine-relationship, parent-child, offspring​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​