Word Study for G2225 (ζωογονέω)

zōogonéō /dzo-og-on-eh'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom the same as ζῶον and a derivative of γίνομαι

Meaningto engender alive, i.e. (by analogy) to rescue (passively, be saved) from death

KJV usagelive, preserve.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of zōogonéō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word zōogonéō, represented by G2225, means to engender alive or to rescue from death. It appears 3 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible. The word conveys the idea of preserving life, either by keeping someone from dying or by rescuing them from a state of death into life.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The word G2225 is used in two distinct contexts in scripture. In Acts 7:19, it describes the evil intent of Pharaoh, who wanted the Hebrew children cast out so that they would not live. Here, the word refers to the preservation of physical life. In contrast, Luke 17:33 uses it in a paradoxical teaching: whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it. This application shifts the meaning from mere physical existence to a deeper, spiritual preservation.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of G2225:

G4982 sṓzō (to save): Defined as to deliver or protect, this word is used in Luke 17:33 to describe the human effort to save one's own life, which stands in contrast to the divine action of preserving it G2225.
G622 apóllymi (to destroy fully): This word, meaning to perish or lose, is the direct opposite of G2225. Luke 17:33 establishes a stark choice: one will either lose their life or preserve it.
G5590 psychḗ (life, soul): This term for the animal sentient principle is what is at stake. In Luke 17:33, it is this very life that one either tries to save, and thus loses, or loses in order to ultimately preserve G2225.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G2225 is significant despite its rare usage. It highlights several key principles:

The Paradox of Salvation: Its use in Luke 17:33 is central to the Christian paradox that true life is found not in self-preservation but in surrender. To preserve one's life is an act that follows loss, not self-serving effort.
Life and Death as Opposing Forces: The word's context in Acts 7:19 frames the act of giving life as a struggle against forces that seek to end it. Pharaoh's plan was to stop the Israelites from being able to live, setting up a conflict between destruction and preservation.
Preservation Beyond the Physical: When contrasted with words like sṓzō (to save) and apóllymi (to destroy), G2225 points toward a quality of life that is more than just continued existence. It is a life rescued and engendered by a power outside of oneself.

Summary

In summary, G2225 is a focused term that encapsulates the concepts of keeping alive and rescuing from death. While it can refer to physical survival, as seen in the narrative of Acts, its most profound use in Luke establishes a critical theological truth. It illustrates that the life which is truly preserved is not the one we desperately try to save for ourselves, but the one we are willing to lose for a greater purpose.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 3 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Future Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Present Active Participle Genitive Singular Masculine 1×
Present Passive Infinitive 1×

Genitive: Possession or source — often "of".
Singular: One.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Future: Action yet to take place.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 2 verses across 2 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Luke and Acts (1 verse each); never once in the other 25.

Luke

Acts

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.