122. aigeios

Lexical Summary

aigeios: Goat, goat-like

Original Word: αἴγειος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: aigeios
Pronunciation: ahee'-ghee-os
Phonetic Spelling: (ah'-ee-ghi-os)
KJV: goat
Word Origin: [from aix "a goat"]

1. belonging to a goat

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

goat.

From aix (a goat); belonging to a goat -- goat.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from aix (a goat)
Definition
of a goat
NASB Translation
goatskins* (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 122: αἴγειος

αἴγειος (WH (γιος; see their Appendix, p. 154, and Iota), , (αἴξ, genitive (γός goat, male or female), of a goat (cf. καμήλειος, ἵππειος, ὕειος, προβάτειος, etc.): Hebrews 11:37. (From Homer down.)

Topical Lexicon

Biblical Context

Hebrews 11:37 records that the persecuted saints of old “went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, oppressed, mistreated”. The Greek adjective αἰγείοις highlights the goatskin material of their garments. In the flow of Hebrews 11, the reference functions as one more proof of the costliness of faith. After celebrating triumphant exploits (Hebrews 11:32-35a), the writer shifts to sufferings (Hebrews 11:35b-38). The goatskin clothing is therefore not an incidental detail but a Spirit-inspired marker of hardship and deprivation.

Historical and Cultural Background

1. Goatskin garments in antiquity. Goats were plentiful, and their hides were inexpensive and rugged. Wearing such skins signified poverty or prophetic austerity, contrasting with the fine linen of the wealthy (Genesis 41:42; Luke 16:19).
2. Prophetic attire. Old Testament prophets were known for simple, hairy garments (2 Kings 1:8; Zechariah 13:4). While the Hebrew terms there focus on hair or wool, the New Testament writer’s mention of goatskins evokes the same prophetic image—messengers of God identified more by their message than by social status.
3. Wilderness symbolism. Israel’s tabernacle possessed outer layers of goat hair (Exodus 26:7); Elijah’s cloak may likewise have been fashioned of animal hair (2 Kings 2:13-14). Thus goatskins carry a wilderness association, setting their wearers apart from settled society and earthly comforts.

Symbolic and Theological Significance

• Identification with the rejected Christ. Hebrews 13:12-13 urges believers to “go to Him outside the camp.” Those who endured with only goatskins prefigure the Messiah, who “had nowhere to lay His head” (Matthew 8:20).
• Contrast between temporal and eternal reward. Hebrews 11:37 continues into Hebrews 11:40, where God’s “something better” is promised. Earthly deprivation, symbolized by goatskins, magnifies the glory of the better resurrection (Hebrews 11:35).
• Foreshadowing of atonement imagery. Two goats figure prominently in the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:7-10). While the text does not equate the martyrs’ goatskins with that ceremony, the shared goat motif subtly reinforces that the faithful share in the suffering economy that culminates in Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10).

Ministry Insights and Application

• Endurance amid adversity. Modern believers facing marginalization find in Hebrews 11:37 a scriptural warrant to value faithfulness over comfort.
• Simplicity in service. Ministry need not be validated by outward trappings. As John the Baptist’s camel-hair garment (Matthew 3:4) and the unnamed saints’ goatskins illustrate, authenticity rests in obedience, not appearance.
• Teaching the whole counsel of God. The single occurrence of αἰγείοις encourages expositors to mine every scriptural detail, showing congregations that even minor words reinforce major themes of perseverance and hope.

Related Scriptural Motifs

Exodus 26:7 – Goat-hair covering of the tabernacle underscores consecration in the wilderness.

2 Kings 1:8 – Elijah’s hairy cloak anticipates prophetic poverty.

Zechariah 13:4 – Future false prophets imitate the rough garment to deceive.

Matthew 8:20 – The Son of Man’s homelessness parallels the saints’ lack.

Hebrews 13:13 – Bearing Christ’s reproach outside the camp echoes goatskin-clad sufferers.

Forms and Transliterations

αιγείας αιγείοις αἰγείοις αιγιοις αἰγίοις aigeiois aigeíois

Englishman's Concordance

Hebrews 11:37 Adj-DNP
GRK: μηλωταῖς ἐν αἰγείοις δέρμασιν ὑστερούμενοι
NAS: in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute,
KJV: and goatskins; being destitute,
INT: sheepskins in goats' skins being destitute

Strong's Greek 122
1 Occurrence

αἰγείοις — 1 Occ.