Word Study for G4773 (συγγενής)

syngenḗs /soong-ghen-ace'/ Ask about this word

Meaninga relative (by blood); by extension, a fellow countryman

KJV usagecousin, kin(-sfolk, -sman).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of syngenḗs — 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 syngenḗs, represented by G4773, refers to a relative or kinsman. It appears 12 times across 12 unique verses. Based on its components σύν (from) and γένος (from), it denotes a person related by blood, and by extension, a fellow countryman.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G4773 is used to describe both immediate and extended family ties. It identifies the relationship between Elisabeth and Mary as cousin Luke 1:36 and is used when Jesus's parents searched for him among their kinsfolk Luke 2:44. The term also extends to national identity, as when Paul refers to his fellow Israelites as his kinsmen according to the flesh Romans 9:3. The word is also used in cautionary contexts, such as when Jesus notes a prophet is without honor among his own kin Mark 6:4 and warns that believers will be betrayed by their kinsfolks Luke 21:16.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help define the scope of relationships in contrast to G4773:

G80 adelphós (a brother): Defines a direct familial relationship, often used alongside kinsmen to describe the full circle of one's relations (Luke 14:12, Romans 9:3).
G1118 goneús (a parent): This term specifies the direct relationship of a parent, from whom kinship originates Luke 21:16.
G5384 phílos (a friend): This word denotes a relationship based on affection rather than blood, and is often listed separately from kinsmen Luke 14:12.
G4561 sárx (flesh): Used to specify earthly, human relationship, as when Paul describes his fellow Israelites as his kinsmen "according to the flesh" Romans 9:3.

Theological Significance

The use of G4773 carries significant theological weight regarding relationships and identity in the New Covenant.

Reordering Social Bonds: Jesus challenges the cultural priority given to kinsmen, teaching that invitations should not be based on reciprocal social gain but on grace extended to the needy Luke 14:12. This redefines community around Kingdom values, not just bloodlines.
Kinship and the Cost of Faith: Following Jesus can create division within natural family structures. A prophet can be without honor among his own kin Mark 6:4, and believers may face betrayal from their closest kinsfolks Luke 21:16.
National and Spiritual Identity: Paul uses the term to express his deep connection and sorrow for his fellow Israelites, his kinsmen according to the flesh Romans 9:3. He also applies it to his fellow believers like Andronicus, Junia, and Herodion, highlighting a shared identity that can be both ethnic and spiritual (Romans 16:7, Romans 16:11).

Summary

In summary, syngenḗs G4773 is more than just a label for a relative. It establishes a baseline for human relationships—by blood and nationality—which the New Testament then challenges and redefines. The word is used to show how faith in Christ creates new loyalties that may conflict with natural kinship, and also forges a new, spiritual family among believers who share a common bond as fellow workers and even fellow prisoners in the faith.

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 an adjective and a noun across 12 occurrences, inflected in 7 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it. These are this word’s own inflections, not words built from it — for those, see Related Words.

συγγενεῖς
συγγενεῦσιν
συγγενῶν
συγγενεῖς
συγγενῆν
συγγενίς
συγγενὴς

Related Words

1 entry in Strong’s name this word as its origin. These are its derivatives — a different relationship from the inflected forms above, which are this same word bent by grammar.

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

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 12 verses across 5 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Luke (5 verses); never once in the other 22.

Mark

Luke

John

Acts

Romans

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, by grammatical form, 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.