Lexical Summary eriphion: young goat, kid Original Word: ἐρίφιον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance goat. From eriphos; a kidling, i.e. (genitive case) goat (symbolically, wicked person) -- goat. see GREEK eriphos HELPS Word-studies 2055 eríphion (a neuter noun which is the diminutive form of 2056 /ériphos, "a goat") – a kid (young goat); (figuratively) someone rejecting Christ's Lordship, i.e. who will not follow His will and hence is small (puny) in God's sight. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origindim. of eriphos Definition a little young goat NASB Translation goats (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2055: ἐρίφιονἐρίφιον, ἐριφιου, τό, and ἔριθος, ἐριφιου, ὁ, a kid, a young goat: Matthew 25:32; Luke 15:29. (Ath. 14, p. 661 b.) Topical Lexicon Occurrences in Scripture Strong’s Greek 2055 appears once in the New Testament, in Matthew 25:33, where the Lord portrays the final judgment: “and He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left”. The term designates literal goats but carries figurative weight in the parable. Historical and cultural backdrop Goats were common in first-century Judea and integral to pastoral life alongside sheep (Genesis 30:32; Proverbs 27:27). Nimble on rocky terrain, they supplied milk, hair, meat, and hides. In temple worship they were also offered for sin (Leviticus 16:8-10; Numbers 28:15), embedding them in Israel’s religious consciousness long before Jesus employed them in His teaching. Old Testament foundations 1. Sacrificial use: A male goat served as the sin offering on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:15), symbolically bearing away guilt. Imagery and symbolism Sheep in Scripture generally represent submissive, covenant-keeping people (Psalm 23:1; John 10:11). Goats often picture stubbornness or estrangement (Ezekiel 34:17). In Matthew 25 Jesus draws on these established associations: The parable thus employs domestic animals familiar to His hearers to underscore eternal destinies. Eschatological significance in Matthew 25 The context is the climactic return of “the Son of Man in His glory” (Matthew 25:31). Works of mercy—feeding, visiting, clothing—manifest genuine faith (James 2:17). The goats’ lack of such deeds exposes an unregenerate heart, not merely social negligence. Their banishment “into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41) affirms the reality of final judgment and the moral divide established by the Gospel. Theological themes 1. Divine separation: God differentiates between genuine and false professors, a theme consistent with Old Testament threshing imagery (Amos 9:9). Practical ministry applications • Preaching: Matthew 25:31-46 urges proclamation of both grace and judgment, presenting Christ as Savior and Judge. Intercanonical harmony The lone New Testament use of Strong’s 2055 harmonizes with wider biblical revelation: God consistently separates righteousness from wickedness (Genesis 18:25; Revelation 20:12-15). The goat motif, rooted in Mosaic ritual, culminates in Christ’s eschatological parable, demonstrating Scripture’s unified redemptive storyline. Forms and Transliterations εριφια ερίφια ἐρίφια eriphia eríphiaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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