3448. moschos

Lexicon

moschos: calf, young bull

Original Word: μόσχος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: moschos
Pronunciation: MOS-khos
Phonetic Spelling: (mos'-khos)
Definition: calf, young bull
Meaning: a calf, heifer, young bull.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

calf.

Probably strengthened for oschos (a shoot); a young bullock -- calf.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
a young shoot, a calf
NASB Translation
calf (4), calves (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3448: μόσχος

μόσχος, μόσχου, ὁ (cf. Schmidt, chapter 76, 12; Curtius, p. 593);

1. a tender, juicy, shoot; a sprout, of a plant or tree.

2. ὁ, ἡ, μόσχος offspring;

a. of men ((cf. figurative English scion)), a boy, a girl, especially if fresh and delicate.

b. of animals, a young one.

3. a calf, a bullock, a heifer; so everywhere in the Bible, and always masculine: Luke 15:23, 27, 30; Hebrews 9:12, 19; Revelation 4:7; (the Sept. chiefly for פַּר, a bull, especially a young bull; then for בָּקָר, cattle; for שׁור, an ox or a cow; also for עֵגֶל, a calf). ((Euripides, on.))

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from a primary word (the base of μυέω, mueo, meaning "to initiate" or "to instruct").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H1121 בֵּן (ben): Often used to denote a "son" or "young one," which can include young animals like calves.
• H5695 עֵגֶל (egel): Specifically refers to a "calf," often used in contexts of sacrifice or idolatry, such as the golden calf incident.
• H6499 פַּר (par): Refers to a "young bull" or "bullock," frequently used in sacrificial contexts in the Old Testament.

These Hebrew terms provide a background for understanding the cultural and religious significance of μόσχος in the New Testament, as they reflect the practices and symbolism associated with young bulls and calves in ancient Israelite society.

Usage: The term μόσχος appears in the New Testament primarily in contexts involving sacrifice, feasting, or celebration. It is often associated with the "fattened calf," a symbol of festivity and abundance.

Context: The Greek word μόσχος is used in the New Testament to denote a young bull or calf, particularly in contexts that emphasize celebration or sacrifice. This term is most famously used in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, found in Luke 15:23, where the father orders the slaughter of the "fattened calf" to celebrate the return of his lost son: "Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate." Here, the μόσχος symbolizes the joy and restoration of a broken relationship, highlighting themes of forgiveness and reconciliation.

In the cultural and religious context of the time, the slaughtering of a fattened calf was a significant event, reserved for special occasions and indicative of wealth and generosity. The use of μόσχος in this parable underscores the father's abundant grace and the lavishness of the celebration.

The term also appears in Hebrews 9:12-13, where it is used in a sacrificial context: "He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves; but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption." Here, μόσχος is part of a comparison between the Old Covenant sacrifices and the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, emphasizing the superiority and sufficiency of Christ's atonement.

Forms and Transliterations

μόσχοι μόσχοις μοσχον μόσχον μόσχος μόσχου μόσχους μοσχω μόσχω μόσχῳ μοσχων μόσχων μοτώσει moscho moschō móschoi móschōi moschon moschōn móschon móschōn

Englishman's Concordance

Luke 15:23 Adj-AMS
GRK: φέρετε τὸν μόσχον τὸν σιτευτόν
NAS: the fattened calf, kill
KJV: the fatted calf, and kill
INT: having brought the calf fattened

Luke 15:27 Adj-AMS
GRK: σου τὸν μόσχον τὸν σιτευτόν
NAS: the fattened calf because
KJV: the fatted calf, because
INT: of you the calf fattened

Luke 15:30 Adj-AMS
GRK: τὸν σιτευτὸν μόσχον
NAS: you killed the fattened calf for him.'
KJV: for him the fatted calf.
INT: the fattened calf

Hebrews 9:12 N-GMP
GRK: τράγων καὶ μόσχων διὰ δὲ
NAS: of goats and calves, but through
KJV: of goats and calves, but by
INT: of goats and calves through moreover

Hebrews 9:19 N-GMP
GRK: αἷμα τῶν μόσχων καὶ τῶν
NAS: the blood of the calves and the goats,
KJV: the blood of calves and
INT: blood of calves and

Revelation 4:7 N-DMS
GRK: ζῷον ὅμοιον μόσχῳ καὶ τὸ
NAS: like a calf, and the third
KJV: beast like a calf, and the third
INT: living creature like a calf and the

Strong's Greek 3448
6 Occurrences

μόσχῳ — 1 Occ.
μόσχων — 2 Occ.
μόσχον — 3 Occ.