γίνομαι (ginomai)
ginomai
to be
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 635 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb ginomai describes the process of coming into existence or becoming something new. It is the standard New Testament word for events happening, appearing in history, or undergoing a change of state. Rather than simply stating that something exists, it focuses on the transition from non-being to being, or from one condition to another. This dynamic sense explains why it appears so frequently in narrative passages where circumstances shift.
Its range is broad, covering everything from physical birth to abstract occurrences. It can mean to be born, as when Jesus is said to come into the world (John 1:9), or to arise, like a storm or an earthquake (Mark 4:37; Revelation 6:12). It also serves as the active voice for things being made or done, such as when Paul speaks of the law being established (Romans 3:31) or when miracles are performed. The phrase "far be it" (mē genoito) uses this verb to express a strong rejection of a hypothetical outcome, meaning "may it never come to pass."
A key feature of ginomai is its versatility in linking causes and effects. It often connects an action with its result, such as faith becoming visible through works (James 2:22) or a person becoming a child of God (John 1:12). Translators usually render it as "become," "come to be," or "happen," depending on whether the subject is a person, an event, or an object. This flexibility allows it to carry significant theological weight, describing how God’s purposes unfold in history through concrete changes in reality.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ginomai captures the dynamic reality of change. It describes moments when something new comes into being or a situation shifts from one state to another. In your daily life, this reminds us that circumstances are not always fixed. God is actively involved in transitions, whether they involve personal growth, unexpected challenges, or the unfolding of His plans.
When you face uncertainty, remember that ginomai points to a Creator who brings order and purpose out of chaos. Just as Jesus calmed the storm to bring peace, He can guide you through periods of change. This word invites trust in God’s ability to shape events and transform situations for His glory.
Reflecting on how God works in history encourages hope. Even when things seem difficult, you can rest in the knowledge that He is bringing about what is good according to His will.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 635 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- it came to pass41×
- became22×
- It came to pass22×
- there was18×
- do be17×
- was16×
- having been16×
- having become15×
- came15×
- would it be!14×
- having come14×
- may become12×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐγένετο156×
- Ἐγένετο35×
- γένηται30×
- γενέσθαι26×
- γενομένης26×
- γενόμενος24×
- γέγονεν20×
- γίνεται14×
- γίνεσθε14×
- ἐγενόμην12×
- ἐγένοντο11×
- ἐγένετο,9×
Key Verses
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Matthew 8:26
He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the wind and the sea, and there was a great calm.
This verse shows ginomai describing the transition from a violent storm to great calm, highlighting Jesus' authority over nature.
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Matthew 13:22
What was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
Here the word illustrates how external pressures can cause a person to become unfruitful despite initially hearing the message.
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Matthew 13:32
which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches.”
The verb describes the growth of the mustard seed, moving from smallness to becoming a large tree that provides shelter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between ginomai and eimi?
Why does ginomai appear so frequently in the New Testament?
How does ginomai help us understand God's work in our lives?
Every Occurrence (635 verses across 26 books)
Matthew 70 verses
Now all this has happened that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,
Matthew 4:3The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
Matthew 5:18For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke…
Matthew 5:45that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and…
Matthew 6:10Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:16“Moreover when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces that they may be…
Matthew 7:28When Jesus had finished saying these things, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching,
Matthew 8:13Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way. Let it be done for you as you have believed.” His servant was healed in that…
Matthew 8:16When evening came, they brought to him many possessed with demons. He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all…
Matthew 8:24Behold, a violent storm came up on the sea, so much that the boat was covered with the waves; but he was asleep.
Matthew 8:26He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the wind and the sea, and there…
Matthew 9:10As he sat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.
Matthew 9:16No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch would tear away from the garment, and a worse…
Matthew 9:29Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.”
Matthew 10:16“Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Matthew 10:25It is enough for the disciple that he be like his teacher, and the servant like his lord. If they have called the…
Matthew 11:1When Jesus had finished directing his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and preach in their cities.
Matthew 11:20Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they didn’t repent.
Matthew 11:21“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done…
Matthew 11:23You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, you will go down to Hades. For if the mighty works had been done in Sodom…
Matthew 11:26Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight.
Matthew 12:45Then he goes and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The…
Matthew 13:21yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word,…
Matthew 13:22What was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of…
Matthew 13:32which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that…
Matthew 13:53When Jesus had finished these parables, he departed from there.
Matthew 14:6But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced among them and pleased Herod.
Matthew 14:15When evening had come, his disciples came to him, saying, “This place is deserted, and the hour is already late. Send…
Matthew 14:23After he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain by himself to pray. When evening had come, he was…
Matthew 15:28Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire.” And her daughter was…
Matthew 16:2But he answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’
Matthew 17:2He was changed before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light.
Matthew 18:3and said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the…
Matthew 18:12“What do you think? If a man has one hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine, go…
Matthew 18:13If he finds it, most certainly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone…
Matthew 18:19Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be…
Matthew 18:31So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were exceedingly sorry, and came and told their lord all that was…
Matthew 19:1When Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee and came into the borders of Judea beyond the Jordan.
Matthew 19:8He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the…
Matthew 20:8“When evening had come, the lord of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages,…
Matthew 20:26It shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.
Matthew 21:4All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying,
Matthew 21:19Seeing a fig tree by the road, he came to it and found nothing on it but leaves. He said to it, “Let there be no fruit…
Matthew 21:21Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you will not only do what was done…
Matthew 21:42Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the head of…
Matthew 23:15Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel around by sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he…
Matthew 23:26You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the platter, that its outside may become clean also.
Matthew 24:6You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you aren’t troubled, for all this must happen, but the end is not…
Matthew 24:20Pray that your flight will not be in the winter nor on a Sabbath,
Matthew 24:21for then there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever…
Matthew 24:32“Now from the fig tree learn this parable: When its branch has now become tender and produces its leaves, you know that…
Matthew 24:34Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things are accomplished.
Matthew 24:44Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don’t expect, the Son of Man will come.
Matthew 25:6But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!’
Matthew 26:1When Jesus had finished all these words, he said to his disciples,
Matthew 26:2“You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”
Matthew 26:5But they said, “Not during the feast, lest a riot occur among the people.”
Matthew 26:6Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
Matthew 26:20Now when evening had come, he was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples.
Matthew 26:42Again, a second time he went away and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cup can’t pass away from me unless I drink…
Matthew 26:54How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so?”
Matthew 26:56But all this has happened that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and…
Matthew 27:1Now when morning had come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to…
Matthew 27:24So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water and washed…
Matthew 27:45Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.
Matthew 27:54Now the centurion and those who were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were…
Matthew 27:57When evening had come, a rich man from Arimathaea named Joseph, who himself was also Jesus’ disciple, came.
Matthew 28:2Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky and came and rolled away the…
Matthew 28:4For fear of him, the guards shook, and became like dead men.
Matthew 28:11Now while they were going, behold, some of the guards came into the city and told the chief priests all the things that…