γεννάω (gennaō)
gennaō
to beget
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 65 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek verb gennaō covers the full spectrum of human birth, functioning as both "to beget" and "to give birth." In the New Testament it describes biological reality with precision: Matthew 1 uses it extensively to trace Jesus’ lineage through his father’s line, while Luke 1:57 records Mary bringing forth a child. The word captures the physical act of procreation, whether from the male perspective of begetting or the female experience of bearing.
Its theological weight emerges when applied to spiritual origins. John 3 distinguishes between being born "of flesh" and being born "of the Spirit," framing conversion as a new genesis rather than mere moral improvement. Similarly, 1 John 2:29 and 5:1 describe believers as those "begotten of God," emphasizing that Christian identity originates from divine action, not human effort.
Translators often render this word simply as "born" or "begat," which can obscure the active role of the parent. In Matthew 1, the genealogy lists who begat whom, highlighting lineage. In John 3, the passive sense—"must be born"—shifts focus to the recipient’s new state. This duality allows the term to bridge physical ancestry and spiritual rebirth seamlessly.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word gennaō anchors our understanding of origin. In Matthew’s genealogy, it traces a long line of ancestors, showing how God works through human history and family lines. This reminds us that our faith is rooted in real events and real people, not abstract ideas. We are part of a story that stretches back centuries.
Yet the word carries a deeper weight in the New Testament. When Jesus speaks to Nicodemus about being born again, He shifts the focus from physical ancestry to spiritual renewal. This new birth is not something we achieve through effort. It is a gift from God, initiated by the Holy Spirit. Our identity as believers comes from this divine act, grounding our hope in God’s grace rather than our own merit.
This duality invites us to see both our historical place in God’s plan and our new life in Christ. We are connected to the past through lineage, but we are defined by the Spirit who gives us new life. This assurance allows us to rest in the knowledge that our origin is secure in Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 65 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- begat39×
- born7×
- was born4×
- having been born4×
- have begotten3×
- were born2×
- to be born2×
- shall be born2×
- he begat2×
- has been born,2×
- has been born2×
- will bear1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐγέννησεν42×
- ἐγεννήθη5×
- γεγεννημένος4×
- γεγεννημένον4×
- γεννηθεὶς3×
- γεγέννηκά3×
- γεννηθῆναι2×
- γεννηθῇ2×
- γεγέννηται.2×
- γεγέννηται,2×
- ἐγέννησαν1×
- ἐγέννησα.¶1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 1:2
Abraham became the father of Isaac. Isaac became the father of Jacob. Jacob became the father of Judah and his brothers.
This verse establishes the pattern of lineage, showing how gennaō records the physical begetting that forms the historical foundation for Jesus’ human ancestry.
-
Matthew 1:16
Jacob became the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, from whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
This occurrence marks the climax of the genealogy, identifying Jacob as the father of Joseph and noting that Jesus was born from Mary, highlighting the unique nature of Christ's origin.
-
Luke 1:35
The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God.
Here the angel explains the miraculous conception, linking the act of being born to the direct power of the Holy Spirit and the divine identity of Jesus as Son of God.
-
Luke 1:57
Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled, and she gave birth to a son.
This verse records the ordinary fulfillment of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, demonstrating the word’s basic meaning of giving birth in a natural human context.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does gennaō mean in the New Testament?
How is gennaō different from other words for birth?
Why is this word important for understanding Jesus’ identity?
Every Occurrence (65 verses across 13 books)
Matthew 20 verses
Abraham became the father of Isaac. Isaac became the father of Jacob. Jacob became the father of Judah and his brothers.
Matthew 1:3Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron. Hezron became the father of Ram.
Matthew 1:4Ram became the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon. Nahshon became the father of Salmon.
Matthew 1:5Salmon became the father of Boaz by Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed by Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse.
Matthew 1:6Jesse became the father of King David. David the king became the father of Solomon by her who had been Uriah’s wife.
Matthew 1:7Solomon became the father of Rehoboam. Rehoboam became the father of Abijah. Abijah became the father of Asa.
Matthew 1:8Asa became the father of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat became the father of Joram. Joram became the father of Uzziah.
Matthew 1:9Uzziah became the father of Jotham. Jotham became the father of Ahaz. Ahaz became the father of Hezekiah.
Matthew 1:10Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh. Manasseh became the father of Amon. Amon became the father of Josiah.
Matthew 1:11Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.
Matthew 1:12After the exile to Babylon, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel. Shealtiel became the father of Zerubbabel.
Matthew 1:13Zerubbabel became the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim. Eliakim became the father of Azor.
Matthew 1:14Azor became the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim. Achim became the father of Eliud.
Matthew 1:15Eliud became the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan. Matthan became the father of Jacob.
Matthew 1:16Jacob became the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, from whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Matthew 1:20But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son…
Matthew 2:1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men from the east came to…
Matthew 2:4Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born.
Matthew 19:12For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by…
Matthew 26:24The Son of Man goes even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would…