### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word ὠόν (ōón), Strong's number `{{G5609}}`, is a primary word denoting an "egg." Its semantic range is remarkably narrow and concrete, referring exclusively to the ovum of a bird, specifically one used for food. There is no evidence within biblical literature or classical Greek to suggest a metaphorical or extended meaning beyond this literal understanding. It functions as a simple, tangible noun, representing a common and wholesome item of sustenance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ὠόν (ōón) appears only once in the New Testament, found in the Gospel of Luke:
* **[[Luke 11:12]]**: "Or if he asks for an egg, will he give him a scorpion?"
In this solitary occurrence, ὠόν (ōón) is embedded within Jesus' teaching on prayer, immediately following the Lord's Prayer. Jesus employs a rhetorical question to illustrate God's benevolent nature as a Father who provides good gifts to His children. The egg is presented as a common, desirable, and nourishing food item, contrasted sharply with a scorpion (σκορπίος, `{{G4651}}`), a creature that is harmful and inedible. The stark contrast between a beneficial egg and a dangerous scorpion underscores the absolute goodness and trustworthiness of God's provision, especially when compared to the flawed yet still caring nature of human fathers. The simplicity of the word ὠόν (ōón) here serves to make the illustration universally relatable and powerfully clear.
### Related Words & Concepts
Given its singular, literal usage, ὠόν (ōón) does not have direct synonyms or antonyms in the biblical text that illuminate its meaning further. However, its contextual use in [[Luke 11:12]] connects it to several significant theological concepts:
* **Provision (δίδωμι, `{{G1325}}`):** The word highlights the act of giving and receiving, central to the discourse on prayer and God's response.
* **Good Gifts (ἀγαθός, `{{G18}}`):** The egg is presented as an example of a "good thing" that a father would give, setting up the ultimate "good gift" of the Holy Spirit in [[Luke 11:13]].
* **Paternal Love and Care:** The illustration hinges on the assumed love and care of a human father for his child, which then serves as an analogy for God's infinitely greater love.
* **Nourishment/Food:** As a food item, it relates to the broader biblical theme of God's provision for physical needs, echoing manna in the wilderness or daily bread.
* **Contrast (with `{{G4651}}` scorpion):** The dramatic juxtaposition with a scorpion emphasizes the qualitative difference between God's perfect gifts and anything harmful or deceptive.
### Theological Significance
While ὠόν (ōón) itself is a mundane object, its theological significance is profound due to its strategic placement in Jesus' teaching. It serves as a powerful pedagogical tool:
1. **Illustrating Divine Benevolence:** The egg, as a simple, wholesome food, becomes a tangible symbol of God's unwavering goodness. Just as no loving earthly father would offer a harmful scorpion instead of a nourishing egg, so too God, our heavenly Father, will always provide what is truly good and beneficial, never anything detrimental.
2. **Affirming God's Fatherhood:** The analogy reinforces the intimate and trustworthy nature of God as "Father" (πατήρ, `{{G3962}}`). It assures believers that their prayers are heard by a compassionate and wise parent who delights in giving good things to His children.
3. **Encouraging Confident Prayer:** The illustration builds confidence in prayer. It dispels any notion that God might be unwilling or might maliciously withhold or substitute harmful things for what His children ask. It underscores the certainty of a positive, life-affirming response from God.
4. **Pointing to the Holy Spirit:** Crucially, the "egg" serves as a stepping stone to the climactic promise in [[Luke 11:13]]: "how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" The common, physical egg points to the supreme, spiritual gift of the Holy Spirit, indicating that God's greatest provisions are not merely material but spiritual and transformative.
### Summary
The Greek word ὠόν (ōón), meaning "egg," is a straightforward and literal term with a singular occurrence in the New Testament at [[Luke 11:12]]. In this context, it functions as a vivid, relatable object within Jesus' teaching on prayer and divine provision. By contrasting a nourishing egg with a harmful scorpion, Jesus underscores the absolute goodness and trustworthiness of God the Father. The humble egg thus becomes a powerful illustrative tool, assuring believers of God's benevolent nature, encouraging confident prayer, and ultimately pointing to the supreme "good gift" of the Holy Spirit that God bestows upon those who ask Him. Its simplicity belies its profound contribution to understanding the compassionate heart of our heavenly Father.
TRV