3388. métra

Lexicon

métra: Womb

Original Word: μήτρα
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: métra
Pronunciation: MAY-trah
Phonetic Spelling: (may'-trah)
Definition: Womb
Meaning: the womb.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

womb.

From meter; the matrix -- womb.

see GREEK meter

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from métér
Definition
the womb
NASB Translation
womb (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3388: μήτρα

μήτρα, μήτρας, ἡ (μήτηρ), the womb: Luke 2:23 (on which see διανοίγω, 1); Romans 4:19. (Herodotus, Plato, others; the Sept. for רֶחֶם.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek root μήτηρ (mētēr), meaning "mother."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H7358 רֶחֶם (rechem): This Hebrew term also means "womb" and is used in the Old Testament to describe the physical womb and, by extension, God's mercy and compassion, as the root of the word is associated with deep, tender love.
• H990 בֶּטֶן (beten): Another Hebrew word for "womb," often used in contexts relating to childbirth and the formation of life within the womb.

These entries highlight the continuity between the Old and New Testaments in understanding the womb as a place of divine action and blessing, underscoring the sanctity of life and God's sovereign role in creation.

Usage: The word "μήτρα" is used in the New Testament to denote the physical womb, emphasizing the natural process of childbirth and the sanctity of life from conception. It appears in contexts that highlight the miraculous or divine intervention in birth.

Context: The Greek term "μήτρα" is a significant word in biblical literature, symbolizing both the physical and spiritual aspects of birth and creation. In the New Testament, it is used to describe the womb in a literal sense, as seen in Luke 2:23, which references the law of the Lord: "Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord." This citation underscores the importance of the womb as the origin of life and the beginning of God's covenant with His people.

The concept of the womb in biblical theology extends beyond its physical function, often representing God's creative power and the mystery of life. The womb is seen as a place of divine formation, where God knits together life in secret (cf. Psalm 139:13-16). This understanding elevates the womb to a sacred space, reflecting God's intimate involvement in the creation of each individual.

In the broader biblical narrative, the womb is also a metaphor for God's nurturing and protective nature, akin to a mother's care for her child. This imagery is used to convey God's compassion and the promise of new beginnings, as seen in the prophetic literature where God promises to bring forth a remnant or a new creation.

Forms and Transliterations

μήτρα μητραν μήτραν μητρας μήτρας metran mētran mḗtran metras mētras mḗtras

Englishman's Concordance

Luke 2:23 N-AFS
GRK: ἄρσεν διανοῖγον μήτραν ἅγιον τῷ
NAS: THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED
KJV: that openeth the womb shall be called
INT: male opening a womb holy to the

Romans 4:19 N-GFS
GRK: νέκρωσιν τῆς μήτρας Σάρρας
NAS: and the deadness of Sarah's womb;
KJV: the deadness of Sara's womb:
INT: deadening of the womb of Sarah

Strong's Greek 3388
2 Occurrences

μήτραν — 1 Occ.
μήτρας — 1 Occ.