γένεσις (genesis)
genesis
origin
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun genesis refers to origin or source, specifically denoting the beginning of a lineage or the act of birth. In the New Testament, it appears in five verses, most notably in Matthew and James. Its usage often traces back to the Greek translation of the Hebrew word for generations, marking the start of a family line or history.
In Matthew 1:1 and 1:18, the term introduces the "book of the genealogy" and the account of Jesus’ birth, establishing His human ancestry. James uses the word metaphorically in two striking ways: he describes the tongue as a fire that sets the "course of nature" on fire (James 3:6) and compares a careless listener to one who looks at his "face of birth" in a mirror (James 1:23). These images suggest genesis relates to the fundamental constitution or original state of a person.
The word stems from the verb gignomai, meaning "to become" or "to be born." This root highlights that genesis is not just a static point in time but the dynamic process of coming into existence. Translators typically render it as "genealogy," "birth," or "origin," depending on whether the context emphasizes ancestry, nativity, or underlying nature.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word genesis points to the very beginning of something, whether it is a family line or the start of a new life. In Matthew 1, this term introduces the record of Jesus’ ancestry, showing that He connects deeply with human history. It reminds us that our faith is rooted in real events and real people who walked before us.
James uses the word in a different way to describe our natural state. He speaks of looking into a mirror to see our face as it was born. This image invites us to look honestly at who we are, not just how we want to appear. It is a call to see ourselves clearly before God.
Understanding this word helps us appreciate both our history and our present nature. We are part of a long story that leads to Christ, and we carry the marks of our creation. This awareness can bring peace as we seek to live faithfully in the life we have been given.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- origin1×
- of nature1×
- of [the] genealogy1×
- natural1×
- birth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- γενέσεως3×
- γένεσις1×
- γενέσει1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 1:1
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
This verse uses the term to establish Jesus' legal lineage, linking Him directly to Abraham and David.
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Matthew 1:18
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was like this: After his mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found pregnant by the Holy Spirit.
Here the word marks the specific event of Jesus' birth, highlighting the miraculous nature of His entry into the world.
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James 1:23
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his natural face in a mirror;
James uses the word to describe the 'natural face,' emphasizing our original, unaltered state before any change occurs.
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James 3:6
And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.
In this context, the word refers to the created order or nature, showing how sin can affect the whole of human existence.