Lexical Summary eriphos: Kid, young goat Original Word: ἐρίφος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance young goat, kid. Perhaps from the same as erion (through the idea of hairiness); a kid or (genitive case) goat -- goat, kid. see GREEK erion HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 2056 ériphos (a masculine noun) – a goat; "a kid, he-goat" (BAGD); (figuratively) any person not submissive to Christ, especially the unredeemed who are rebellious against God to the core. See 2055 (eríphion). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition a young goat NASB Translation goats (1), young goat (1). Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 2056 designates the “kid” or “young goat,” a small but vivid image that Scripture uses to illuminate judgment, celebration, atonement, and the lived realities of pastoral life. Though it appears only twice in the Greek New Testament, its Old Testament background and symbolic load give it rich theological resonance. Old Testament Foundations 1. Sacrificial Usage. Kids were acceptable burnt and sin offerings (Leviticus 3:12; Leviticus 4:23) and the preferred animal for certain freewill feasts (Deuteronomy 14:4). Their sacrifice underscored that atonement required the shedding of blood, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Matthew 25:32. “All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” Here the kid/goat is emblematic of those lacking saving faith, placed on the King’s left and destined for judgment. Contrasts with Sheep Sheep in Scripture often depict humble, obedient followers (Psalm 23:1; John 10:27). Goats, by contrast, exhibit independence and stubbornness, characteristics fitting the impenitent. The deliberate pairing in Matthew 25 heightens the moral polarity and demonstrates the Savior’s perfect discernment. Historical and Cultural Background First-century Jewish shepherds frequently grazed mixed flocks. At night they divided sheep and goats because goats needed extra warmth. Jesus uses this nightly routine to picture His eschatological separation—an ordinary act invested with eternal consequence. Meanwhile, a kid was a common banquet dish; the father’s choice of a fattened calf over a mere kid in Luke 15:23 magnifies the lavish grace given to repentant sinners. Theological Themes 1. Judgment. The goat in Matthew 25 embodies the destiny of the unredeemed: “Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me…’” (Matthew 25:41). Implications for Ministry and Discipleship • Proclamation must warn of final separation and urge genuine repentance. Pastoral Reflections The humble kid reminds the church that even commonplace creatures can teach eternal truths. When Scripture speaks of goats, it invites sober reflection on judgment yet simultaneously magnifies the mercy available in Christ. A faithful shepherd today will both separate truth from error and invite every prodigal home to a feast far greater than any earthly kid could supply. Forms and Transliterations εριφον έριφον ἔριφον ερίφους ερίφω εριφων ερίφων ἐρίφων eriphon eriphōn eríphon eríphōn ériphonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 25:32 N-GMPGRK: ἀπὸ τῶν ἐρίφων NAS: separates the sheep from the goats; KJV: [his] sheep from the goats: INT: from the goats Luke 15:29 N-AMS Strong's Greek 2056 |
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