Lexical Summary monogenés: Only begotten, unique, one and only Original Word: μονογενής Strong's Exhaustive Concordance only begotten, child. From monos and ginomai; only-born, i.e. Sole -- only (begotten, child). see GREEK monos see GREEK ginomai HELPS Word-studies 3439 monogenḗs (from 3411 /misthōtós, "one-and-only" and 1085 /génos, "offspring, stock") – properly, one-and-only; "one of a kind" – literally, "one (monos) of a class, genos" (the only of its kind). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom monos and genos Definition only begotten NASB Translation only (3), only begotten (6). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3439: μονογενήςμονογενής, μονογενές (μόνος and γένος) (Cicero,unigena; Vulg. (in Lukeunicus, elsewhere) and in ecclesiastical writingsunigenitus), single of its kind, only (A. V. only-begotten); used of only sons or daughters (viewed in relation to their parents), Hesiod theog. 426, 448; Herodotus 7, 221; Plato, Critias 113 d.; Josephus, Antiquities 1, 13, 1; 2, 7, 4; μονογενές τέκνον πατρί, Aeschylus Ag. 898. So in the Scriptures: Hebrews 11:17; μονογενῆ εἶναι τίνι (to be one's only son or daughter), Judges 11:34; Tobit 3:15; Luke 7:12; Luke 8:42; Luke 9:38; (cf. Westcott on Epistles of John, pp. 162ff). Hence, the expression ὁ μονογενής υἱός τοῦ Θεοῦ and υἱός τοῦ Θεοῦ ὁ μονογονης, John 3:16, 18; John 1:18 (see below); 1 John 4:9; μονογενής παρά πατρός, John 1:14 (some take this generally, owing to the omission of the article (cf. Green, pp. 48f)), used of Christ, denotes the only son of God or one who in the sense in which he himself is the son of God has no brethren. He is so spoken of by John not because ὁ λόγος which was ἐνσαρκωθεις in him was eternally generated by God the Father (the orthodox interpretation), or came forth from the being of God just before the beginning of the world (Subordinationism), but because by the incarnation (ἐνσαρκωσις) of the λόγος in him he is of nature or essentially Son of God, and so in a very different sense from that in which men are made by him τέκνα τοῦ Θεοῦ (John 1:13). For since in the writings of John the title ὁ ἱυος τοῦ Θεοῦ is given only to the historic Christ so called, neither the Logos alone, nor Jesus alone, but ὁ λόγος ὁ ἐνσαρκωθεις or Jesus through the λόγος united with God, is ὁ μονογενής υἱός τοῦ Θεοῦ. The reading μονογενής Θεός (without the article before μονογενής) in John 1:18, — which is supported by no inconsiderable weight of ancient testimony, received into the text by Tregelles, and Westcott and Hort, defended with much learning by Dr. Hort ("On μονογενής Θεός in Scripture and Tradition in his Two Dissertations" Camb. and Lond. 1876), and seems not improbable to Harnack (in the Theol. Lit.-Zeit. for 1876, p. 541ff) (and Weiss (in Meyer 6te Aufl. at the passage)), but is foreign to John's mode of thought and speech (John 3:16, 18; 1 John 4:9), dissonant and harsh — appears to owe its origin to a dogmatic zeal which broke out soon after the early days of the church; (see articles on the reading by Prof. Abbot in the Bib. Sacr. for Oct. 1861 and in the Unitarian Rev. for June 1875 (in the latter copious references to other discussions of the same passage are given); see also Prof. Drummond in the Theol. Rev. for Oct. 1871). Further, see Grimm, Exgt. Hdbch. on Sap., p. 152f; (Westcott as above). Topical Lexicon Identity and Scope in Scripture The term rendered “only begotten” or “one and only” appears nine times in the Greek New Testament, designating a single, unique offspring. Six usages highlight Jesus Christ (John 1:14; John 1:18; John 3:16; John 3:18; Hebrews 11:17; 1 John 4:9); three describe an only child in critical need (Luke 7:12; Luke 8:42; Luke 9:38). The dual pattern—Christological and familial—links divine revelation to common human experience, underscoring the preciousness of an irreplaceable child. Christological Significance John 3:16 declares, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The title stresses the Son’s uniqueness, not origin in time. John 1:18 adds, “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.” Thus, μονογενής upholds both the full deity of Christ and His intimate, eternal fellowship with the Father. The word guards against any suggestion of multiple divine sons or created divinity, reinforcing the singular mediation of Christ. Trinitarian Implications Because μονογενής distinguishes the Son within the Godhead, it safeguards orthodox Trinitarian confession: one God, three distinct Persons. The Father’s love (1 John 4:9) is showcased in sending the Son; the Spirit testifies to that Son (John 1:32-34). Each Person’s role is preserved without confusion of essence or subordination in nature. Typological Foreshadowing Hebrews 11:17 recalls that Abraham “offered up his one and only son” Isaac, prefiguring Calvary. Isaac was beloved and promised, yet not the firstborn (Ishmael preceded him) nor eternally divine. His description as μονογενής underscores covenant uniqueness, forming a deliberate analogy: just as Abraham did not withhold Isaac, so the Father did not spare His one and only Son (Romans 8:32). Old Testament patterns converge in Christ, fulfilling redemptive history. Compassionate Portraits in the Synoptics Luke’s three narratives present desperate parents pleading for an only child. The widow of Nain mourns her “only son” (Luke 7:12); Jairus begs for his “only daughter” (Luke 8:42); a distraught father implores Jesus for his “only son” tormented by a spirit (Luke 9:38). The pathos of lost hope heightens the impact of Jesus’ restorative power. These vignettes mirror the Father’s heart: the immeasurable cost of giving His unique Son for a lost world. Evangelistic Urgency John 3:18 warns, “Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.” The sole sufficiency of Christ removes all alternatives. Salvation hinges not on generic theism but on personal trust in the μονογενής. Gospel proclamation must therefore point unambiguously to Christ alone. Pastoral Application Believers wrestling with worth or security find assurance in being adopted through the one and only Son (Galatians 4:4-7). As the Father’s unique Son cannot be displaced, so those united to Him cannot be snatched away (John 10:28-30). For grieving parents or lonely individuals, the Lukan accounts display Jesus’ tenderness toward precious “only” children, inviting reliance upon His compassionate authority. Doctrinal Safeguards Heresies ancient and modern often redefine Jesus’ nature. μονογενής counters Arianism (claiming the Son is created) and modern pluralistic claims (multiple saviors). The church preserves the confession of one Lord whose singular sonship implies singular atonement (Hebrews 7:27). Deviations from this center undermine the gospel. Worship Implications Recognition of Christ as the Father’s one and only Son fuels adoration. Hymns and prayers celebrating the unique Lamb of God resonate with heavenly worship where the Lamb alone is worthy (Revelation 5:9). Corporate confession of the μονογενής aligns earthly liturgy with eternal praise. Summary Strong’s Greek 3439 accents the unrivaled, beloved status of Jesus Christ and, by analogy, the preciousness of irreplaceable life. It anchors orthodox Christology, intensifies evangelistic call, comforts the afflicted, and summons the church to undivided devotion to the one and only Son. Forms and Transliterations μονογενη μονογενή μονογενῆ μονογενης μονογενής μονογενὴς μονογενους μονογενούς μονογενοῦς μονόζωνοι μονοζώνοις μονόζωνον μονόζωνος μονοζώνους μονόκερος μονοκέρωτος μονοκερώτων μονομαχήσομεν monogene monogenê monogenē monogenē̂ monogenes monogenēs monogenḗs monogenḕs monogenous monogenoûsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 7:12 Adj-NMSGRK: ἐξεκομίζετο τεθνηκὼς μονογενὴς υἱὸς τῇ NAS: man was being carried out, the only son KJV: carried out, the only son INT: was being carried out [one] who had died only begotten son of the Luke 8:42 Adj-NFS Luke 9:38 Adj-NMS John 1:14 Adj-GMS John 1:18 Adj-NMS John 3:16 Adj-AMS John 3:18 Adj-GMS Hebrews 11:17 Adj-AMS 1 John 4:9 Adj-AMS Strong's Greek 3439 |
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