γενέσια, γενέθλιος (genesia, genethlios)
genesia, genethlios
birthday
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun genesia refers to a birthday feast or celebration. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, describing the lavish party hosted by Herod Antipas on his special day (Matthew 14:6; Mark 6:21). While modern usage focuses solely on personal birth anniversaries, the word carries a heavier historical weight.
Originally used in classical Greek to describe funeral commemorations for the dead, the term shifted in later periods to denote birthday festivities. This evolution highlights how cultural practices around honoring life and death intersected in the ancient world. The sources note that Herod’s event was not a simple gathering but a significant public occasion marked by feasting.
Translators typically render genesia as "birthday" or "birthday feast," capturing the celebratory nature of the event. However, the context in Matthew and Mark reveals the dark undercurrents of such celebrations when power is misused. The word itself remains neutral, but its biblical application underscores the consequences of vanity and impulsive promises made in moments of pride.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word genesia points to a birthday feast, a moment meant for joy and community. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, both times in the accounts of Herod Antipas’s celebration. These verses remind us that while gatherings are natural expressions of human connection, they can also become stages for pride and poor decisions.
Herod’s party was a public event filled with nobles and high officers, designed to display power rather than simply share love. When his stepdaughter danced, he made an impulsive promise in front of his guests, leading to tragedy. This context invites us to consider how we use our own special days. Are they opportunities for gratitude and connection, or do they become moments where ego takes the lead?
Understanding this word helps us see the weight of our celebrations. It encourages a simpler approach: gather with those you love, give thanks for life, and avoid letting pride dictate your actions. May your own days of celebration be marked by humility and genuine joy.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- birthday1×
- [The] birthday1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- γενεσίοις1×
- Γενεσίοις1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 14:6
But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced among them and pleased Herod.
This verse highlights the social pressure of the occasion, as the dance pleased Herod in front of his guests, setting the stage for a rash vow.
-
Mark 6:21
Then a convenient day came when Herod on his birthday made a supper for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.
Here the word marks a 'convenient day' chosen by Herod to host nobles and officials, showing how the celebration was used to display political status rather than personal joy.