γέννημα (gennēma)
gennēma
offspring
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun gennēma refers to that which has been born or begotten, covering both human and animal offspring as well as the produce of the earth. In the New Testament, it appears only four times, all within the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The word emphasizes the result of generation rather than the act itself.
Its most striking usage occurs in Jesus’ rebukes of religious leaders. He calls them "offspring of vipers" (Matthew 3:7; 12:34; 23:33) to highlight a disconnect between their lineage and their character. This metaphor suggests that true identity is defined by moral fruit, not just biological descent.
While the related verb gennaō describes the process of being born, gennēma points to the concrete outcome. It can mean children or crops, linking human progeny with agricultural yield. This dual sense reinforces the idea that people should produce good results consistent with their origin.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word gennēma points directly to what comes after birth: the actual offspring or produce. It shifts focus from the act of being born to the reality that follows. In everyday life, we often judge people by their background or family tree. This Greek term reminds us that true identity is revealed through character and action, not just lineage.
Jesus used this word sharply when calling religious leaders "offspring of vipers." He was not denying their physical ancestry but highlighting a spiritual disconnect. Their actions did not match their heritage. This challenges every reader to examine the fruit of their own life. Are your words and deeds consistent with who you claim to be in Christ?
Understanding gennēma encourages honest self-reflection. It invites us to produce good results that align with our faith. Rather than resting on past status, we are called to live out a transformed character. This perspective helps us focus on moral fruitfulness as the true mark of discipleship.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Offspring3×
- Brood1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- γεννήματα4×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 12:34
You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
This verse connects the word directly to speech, showing that evil character inevitably produces harmful words.
-
Matthew 23:33
You serpents, you offspring of vipers, how will you escape the judgment of Gehenna?
Here the term is paired with serpents to emphasize the severity of the leaders' spiritual danger and impending judgment.
-
Matthew 3:7
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
John the Baptist uses this word to challenge religious elites to prove their repentance through action rather than relying on ancestry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does gennēma mean in the New Testament?
Why did Jesus call the Pharisees 'offspring of vipers'?
How is gennēma different from the verb gennaō?
Every Occurrence (4 verses across 2 books)
Matthew 3 verses
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers,…
Matthew 12:34You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth…
Matthew 23:33You serpents, you offspring of vipers, how will you escape the judgment of Gehenna?