The Greek word patralṓias, represented by G3964, is a stark term for a murderer of fathers. The word is a compound derived from πατήρ (father) and a component shared with μητραλῴας (murderer of mothers), identifying it as a specific act of parricide. Its gravity is underscored by its rarity; it appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible.
The sole scriptural use of G3964 is in 1 Timothy 1:9. Here, it is part of a list illustrating the kind of person for whom the law G3551 is made. The text states that the law is not G3756 for a righteous man G1342, but for the wicked. In this list, murderers of fathers are categorized with the lawless G459, disobedient G506, ungodly G765, sinners G268, unholy G462, and profane G952. The placement of this term among such a comprehensive list of transgressions highlights the severity of the act.
Several related words found in its immediate context help to define the scope of this wickedness:
- G3389 mētralṓias (murderers of mothers): This is the direct counterpart to G3964 and is defined as a matricide. It appears immediately following murderers of fathers in the list, condemning the violation of the most fundamental family relationships 1 Timothy 1:9.
- G409 androphónos (manslayers): A broader term for a murderer, it follows the specific terms for parricide and matricide, widening the category to include all who unlawfully take human life 1 Timothy 1:9.
- G459 ánomos (lawless): Defined as wicked or not subject to law, this term establishes the overarching category of rebellion. The specific sins that follow, including being a murderer of fathers, serve as explicit examples of what it means to be lawless 1 Timothy 1:9.
- G765 asebḗs (ungodly): This word describes someone who is irreverent or impious. Its inclusion shows that the act of murdering a father is not just a social crime but an act of profound ungodliness 1 Timothy 1:9.
The theological significance of G3964 is concentrated in its single appearance:
- The Law's Purpose: The word is used to demonstrate that G3754 the law is made G2749 for the unrighteous. It is not for those already living righteously, but for those who, like a murderer of fathers, have transgressed fundamental moral and divine standards 1 Timothy 1:9.
- Defining Depravity: By singling out this specific sin, the text emphasizes a profound level of human depravity. The act represents an ultimate rejection of authority, family, and the life-giving role of a parent.
- A Catalogue of Sin: Its position within a list of sins ranging from general disobedience to specific acts like murder shows that such a heinous crime is the fruit of a life characterized as unholy G462, profane G952, and opposed to God.
In summary, patralṓias G3964 is a potent, albeit rare, biblical term. Its single usage in 1 Timothy 1:9 is highly instructive, serving as a prime example of the kind of wickedness the law exists to condemn. By being listed alongside the lawless G459 and ungodly G765, the act of being a murderer of fathers is presented as a profound violation of both social order and divine commandment, exemplifying the character of those who stand in direct opposition to a righteous life.
TRV