from συγγενής; relationship, i.e. (concretely) relatives:--kindred.
Transliteration:syngéneia
Pronunciation:soong-ghen'-i-ah
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term συγγένεια (syngéneia), Strong's number `{{G4772}}`, is derived from the adjective συγγενής (syngenēs) `{{G4773}}`, which signifies "born with," "of the same race or kin," or "related by birth." Fundamentally, συγγένεια denotes the state or quality of being related by blood or descent. Its semantic range encompasses both the abstract concept of "relationship," "kinship," or "affinity," and the concrete collective of "relatives," "kindred," or "family members." This word points to a shared lineage, a common ancestry, highlighting the bonds that unite individuals through birth.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term συγγένεια appears twice in the New Testament, both instances clearly referring to natural, blood-related family members:
1. **[[Luke 1:58]]**: "And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her; and they began to rejoice with her." Here, συγγένεια refers to Elizabeth's extended family and kin who shared in her joy over the miraculous conception of John the Baptist. The context emphasizes the communal aspect of familial bonds, where significant life events are celebrated or mourned collectively within the kinship group. This usage underscores the social fabric of the time, where family ties extended beyond the immediate household.
2. **[[Acts 7:14]]**: "Then Joseph sent and called his father Jacob and all his relatives to him, seventy-five people in all." In Stephen's sermon, recounting the history of Israel, συγγένεια refers to Jacob's entire extended family who migrated to Egypt. This usage highlights the foundational family unit that, through God's providence, grew into a nation. It underscores the importance of lineage and the continuity of the covenant people, tracing their origins back to a specific family group.
In both contexts, συγγένεια consistently refers to individuals connected by blood, emphasizing the natural family unit and its significance within the broader community and God's historical plan.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related Greek terms illuminate the concept of kinship in the New Testament:
* **συγγενής (syngenēs) `{{G4773}}`**: The root adjective, meaning "kinsman" or "relative." While συγγένεια is the abstract concept of kinship or the collective group, συγγενής refers to the individual kinsman.
* **γένος (genos) `{{G1085}}`**: A broader term for "race," "kind," "family," or "lineage." While συγγένεια often implies a closer, more direct familial relationship, γένος can refer to a wider group sharing common descent or characteristics.
* **οἶκος (oikos) `{{G3624}}`**: Meaning "house" or "household," this term often encompasses not just the physical dwelling but also the people living within it, including immediate and sometimes extended family.
* **πατρία (patria) `{{G3965}}`**: Signifying "family," "lineage," or "clan," specifically emphasizing paternal descent, as seen in phrases like "every family in heaven and on earth" ([[Ephesians 3:15]]).
* **φῦλον (phylon) `{{G5443}}`**: "Tribe" or "race," often used in the context of the twelve tribes of Israel, indicating a larger, distinct group descended from a common ancestor.
The concept of "kinship" (συγγένεια and related terms) was profoundly significant in ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman cultures, forming the bedrock of social structure, inheritance laws, protective responsibilities, and individual identity.
### Theological Significance
The concept of συγγένεια carries several theological implications:
* **Divine Election and Covenant**: God's redemptive plan often unfolds through specific families and lineages. The Abrahamic covenant, for instance, was established with a particular family line, demonstrating God's sovereign choice to work through human συγγένεια to establish His covenant people. The detailed genealogies in the Gospels underscore this divine commitment to lineage.
* **The Incarnation of Christ**: The human συγγένεια of Jesus is of paramount theological importance. His birth into the lineage of David ([[Matthew 1:1-17]]; [[Luke 3:23-38]]) fulfills ancient prophecies and affirms His true humanity and His inextricable connection to the history and people of Israel. He is truly "of the same blood" as those He came to save, establishing solidarity with humanity.
* **Community and Belonging**: The occurrences of συγγένεια in Luke and Acts highlight the importance of the natural family as a foundational unit for community, mutual support, and shared identity. While the New Testament frequently broadens the concept of "family" to include the spiritual family of believers in Christ, the natural family remains a divinely ordained institution with inherent value and purpose.
* **Solidarity and Responsibility**: Kinship implied reciprocal responsibilities, including mutual care, protection, and shared joy or sorrow. This reflects God's design for human relationships, where individuals are interconnected and called to bear one another's burdens and share in one another's blessings.
### Summary
The Greek term συγγένεια (`{{G4772}}`) denotes both the abstract concept of "kinship" and the concrete reality of "relatives" or "kindred" connected by blood. Its New Testament occurrences in [[Luke 1:58]] and [[Acts 7:14]] consistently refer to natural, familial bonds, underscoring the significance of the human family unit within ancient society and God's unfolding plan. Theologically, συγγένεια illuminates God's choice to work through specific family lines in establishing His covenant, affirms the true humanity and historical lineage of Jesus Christ, and highlights the divine value placed on familial relationships, community, and mutual responsibility. It serves as a reminder of our shared human connection and the foundational role of the family, even as the New Testament expands the understanding of "family" to embrace the broader spiritual family of God through faith in Christ.
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