ESTUDIO DE LA PALABRA GRIEGA
Gynē — Meaning & Usage in the Bible
γυνή (gynḗ, G1135) is the standard Greek noun referring to a woman, with a specific sense of 'wife' in marital contexts.
Significado de la palabra
γυνή is a feminine noun of the third declension (genitive γυναικός), translated in the KJV as 'wife' or 'woman'. It functions as both a general term for an adult female and a specific term for a married woman, depending on context.
Beyond the basic senses, the lexicon notes three usages: (1) a woman, whether married or unmarried, including the vocative form γύναι, which is a respectful address carrying no rebuke; (2) a wife, often appearing with verbs such as λαβεῖν ('to take'), ἔχειν ('to have'), or ἀπολύειν ('to divorce'); and (3) in one passage a deaconess, reflecting a recognized office in the early church.
Uso en las Escrituras
In the Synoptic Gospels, γυνή is pervasive. Matthew uses it for Mary as Joseph's wife (1:20, 1:24), for general women (11:11; 14:21; 15:38), and for a Canaanite woman who approaches Jesus (15:22, addressed respectfully as γύναι in 15:28). The Sermon on the Mount uses γυνή repeatedly in teaching on adultery and divorce (5:28, 31, 32).
In Pauline and household contexts the noun sharpens into 'wife'. Romans 7:2 calls a married woman ὕπανδρος γυνή ('a woman having a husband'). 1 Corinthians 7 frames mutual marital duty between husband and wife (γυνή). 1 Timothy 3:11 applies it to a deaconess. Across the New Testament's 190 occurrences the choice of meaning — woman or wife — is determined entirely by surrounding language.
La palabra en detalle
- G1135 γυνή (gynḗ), third-declension feminine noun, means 'woman' in general and 'wife' in marital contexts. In the LXX it translates Hebrew אִשָּׁה. The vocative γύναι is a respectful address (Matt. 15:28; John 2:4).
Versículos de ejemplo
- Matthew 5:28 Here γυνή is used in its general sense ('a woman') as the object of lust, forming the basis for Jesus' teaching on inner purity.
- Matthew 15:28 The vocative γύναι shows that this address to the Canaanite woman is a term of respect, with no severity attached.
- Matthew 5:31 γυνή here clearly means 'wife', paired with the verb ἀπολύειν ('to divorce'), framing Jesus' teaching on marriage and divorce.
- Matthew 9:20 γυνή denotes an unnamed woman with a hemorrhage, illustrating the noun's general use for any adult female, married or not.
Preguntas frecuentes
Does γυνή always mean 'wife'?
No. It means 'woman' generally in most occurrences and shifts to 'wife' specifically when paired with marital language such as 'take', 'have', or 'divorce'.
Is γύναι a harsh address?
No. The lexicon specifies that γύναι in the vocative carries no reproach or severity; it is a respectful and even endearing term of address.
How do I tell whether γυνή means 'woman' or 'wife' in a given verse?
Look at the surrounding verbs and modifiers. If the text mentions marriage, divorce, or a husband/wife relationship, it means 'wife'. Otherwise it generally means 'woman'.