from ἐν and the base of κῦμα; swelling inside, i.e. pregnant:--great with child.
Transliteration:énkyos
Pronunciation:eng'-koo-os
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term ἔγκυος (transliterated as *énkyos*, Strong's `{{G1471}}`) is a compound adjective derived from the preposition ἐν (`{{G1722}}`, meaning "in" or "within") and the base of the noun κῦμα (`{{G2949}}`, typically meaning "wave" or "swell"). Lexically, the word describes the state of being "swollen inside" or "full within." In its specific application, ἔγκυος denotes the physiological condition of pregnancy, meaning "pregnant" or "great with child." Its semantic range is quite narrow, focusing almost exclusively on this biological state. The term captures the physical reality of a woman carrying a child, emphasizing the internal growth and expansion.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word ἔγκυος appears only once in the New Testament, found in the Gospel of Luke:
* **[[Luke 2:5]]**: "to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was ἔγκυος."
This singular occurrence is profoundly significant due to its context. Luke is describing the journey of Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the census decreed by Caesar Augustus. The detail that Mary was ἔγκυος is not merely incidental; it underscores the challenging circumstances of their journey and the imminent arrival of the Messiah. The Greek perfect participle ἔγκυος οὔσῃ (being pregnant) emphasizes her ongoing state of advanced pregnancy, making the arduous travel particularly difficult and highlighting the immediate fulfillment of the divine plan for Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, as prophesied in [[Micah 5:2]]. This verse grounds the miraculous Incarnation in a tangible, human reality, emphasizing that the Son of God entered the world through a true human birth, subject to the same physical limitations and societal decrees as any other person.
### Related Words & Concepts
While ἔγκυος specifically describes the state of being pregnant, it is closely related to other Greek terms that articulate the broader themes of conception, birth, and the human reproductive process:
* συλλαμβάνω (`{{G4815}}`): "to conceive," as seen in [[Luke 1:24]] where Elizabeth conceives, and [[Luke 1:31]] where Gabriel tells Mary she will conceive. This word describes the act of becoming pregnant.
* τίκτω (`{{G5088}}`): "to give birth" or "to bring forth," used extensively throughout the New Testament to describe the act of childbirth, as in [[Matthew 1:21]] regarding Mary giving birth to Jesus.
* γαστήρ (`{{G1064}}`): "womb" or "belly," the anatomical location where the ἔγκυος state occurs, as in [[Luke 1:41]] where the baby leaped in Elizabeth's womb.
* παιδίον (`{{G3813}}`): "child" or "infant," referring to the one being carried and eventually born, as in [[Luke 2:16]] where they found the παιδίον in the manger.
These terms collectively paint a picture of the miraculous process of human life, which in the case of Christ, was supernaturally initiated and divinely orchestrated.
### Theological Significance
Despite its single appearance, the theological weight of ἔγκυος in [[Luke 2:5]] is immense. It serves as a pivotal descriptor in the narrative of the Incarnation:
1. **The Reality of the Incarnation**: The term affirms the genuine humanity of Jesus Christ. Mary was truly, physically pregnant, underscoring that God the Son fully entered human existence, taking on flesh and blood. This counters any docetic tendencies that would deny the reality of Christ's human body.
2. **Divine Providence and Fulfillment of Prophecy**: Mary's state of being ἔγκυος at the time of the census necessitated the journey to Bethlehem, precisely fulfilling the prophecy of the Messiah's birthplace ([[Micah 5:2]]). This highlights God's meticulous sovereignty over human events, even seemingly mundane administrative decrees, to achieve His redemptive purposes.
3. **Humility and Vulnerability**: The image of a heavily pregnant woman undertaking a difficult journey underscores the humble and vulnerable circumstances into which the Lord of Glory was born. It speaks to God's self-emptying (kenosis) and identification with humanity's frailties.
4. **The Virgin Birth**: While ἔγκυος itself simply means "pregnant" and does not explicitly state "virgin," in the Lukan narrative, it is understood in light of the prior annunciation to Mary ([[Luke 1:26-38]]) that her conception was by the Holy Spirit, without human agency. Thus, her ἔγκυος state is the physical manifestation of a unique, miraculous conception.
### Summary
The Greek word ἔγκυος (`{{G1471}}`) precisely describes the state of being "pregnant" or "great with child." Its sole biblical occurrence in [[Luke 2:5]] is profoundly significant, anchoring the theological truth of the Incarnation in a tangible, human reality. Mary's state of advanced pregnancy during the journey to Bethlehem not only underscores the challenging circumstances of Jesus' birth but also highlights God's meticulous providence in fulfilling ancient prophecies. This seemingly simple biological descriptor thus becomes a powerful testament to the genuine humanity of Christ and the divine orchestration of His arrival into the world.
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