Sunday, August 10, 2008

Monogenes, pt. 2

This is mostly stolen from another web page.

The word translated in the many English translations of the Bible as "Only Begotten" is in the greek, Monogenes μονογενής.

This is a compound word.

It is often thought that this word comes from two greek words...

monos μονος (only) and gennaō γενναω (to beget, father, procreate)

However, lexicographers believe this to be a false Etymology. (Etymology is the history or roots of a word).

It is more properly, monos μονος (only) genos γενο (kind), the best English phrase to describe this word would be, "One of a kind", or perhaps, "unique".

Only Begotten would be monogennetos. Thayer defines Monogenes μονογενής as, single of its kind, only.

This is supported by New Testament usage: Hebrews 11:17 refers to Isaac as Abraham’s ‘only begotten son’, yet Abraham begat other sons (Ishmael, and by Keturah). But Isaac was Abraham’s unique son, the son especially promised to him and Sarah in their old age, and who would carry on the covenant line.

The translation of monogenes as only begotten is probably wrong. That's why the ESV and NIV translate it as "Only" or "Only Son", and some other translations as "Unique".

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