γυνή (gunē)
gunē
woman
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 199 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word gynē refers to a woman, regardless of her age or marital status. In the New Testament, it appears nearly two hundred times, serving as the general term for female persons in contexts ranging from genealogies to parables. Its meaning is determined by context: it can denote a single woman, such as the widow mentioned in Luke 4:26, or a married woman, as seen in the legal discussions of Romans 7:2.
Crucially, gynē also functions specifically as the word for "wife." This dual usage is evident in passages discussing marriage laws, where Jesus references taking a wife (Mark 12:19) or sending one away (Mark 10:2). The distinction between the general and specific senses often clarifies the text, such as when Matthew 5:28 uses the term to address adultery against one's spouse.
The vocative form, gynaī, carries a notable tone of respect rather than severity. When Jesus addresses women in this way, as with the Syrophoenician woman in Matthew 15:28 or the Samaritan woman in John 4:21, it signals endearment and honor. This usage highlights the dignity afforded to women in his interactions, contrasting with potential cultural dismissiveness of the era.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word gynē carries a quiet weight in the New Testament, appearing nearly two hundred times to describe women in their full humanity. It is not merely a label but a recognition of dignity. In contexts ranging from genealogies to parables, it affirms that women are integral participants in God’s story. Whether referring to a widow in Luke or a mother in Matthew, the term honors the person behind the role.
Perhaps most strikingly, gynē often means 'wife,' anchoring our understanding of marriage and commitment. When Jesus uses the vocative form gynaī, as with the Syrophoenician woman in Matthew 15:28, it signals respect rather than distance. This usage reminds us that divine interactions are marked by honor. It invites us to see every woman not just by her function, but by her inherent worth before God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 199 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- wife50×
- woman41×
- a woman26×
- women17×
- wives9×
- a wife9×
- women,4×
- woman;4×
- wife,4×
- of women4×
- Woman,4×
- women.3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- γυνὴ59×
- γυναῖκα48×
- γυναικὸς17×
- γυναικὶ11×
- γυναῖκες10×
- γυναικῶν9×
- γυναῖκας8×
- γύναι,7×
- γυνή·4×
- γυνή;3×
- γυνή,3×
- γυναιξὶν3×
Key Verses
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Matthew 15:28
Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.
This verse demonstrates the respectful tone of the vocative form gynaī when Jesus addresses a woman outside his own culture, highlighting her dignity and faith.
-
Matthew 5:28
but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Here the word specifies the object of lust within marriage, clarifying that adultery is a heart issue directed against one's specific spouse.
-
Matthew 19:5
and said, ‘For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh’?
This citation of Genesis uses the term to define the fundamental union of marriage, where two become one flesh through this bond.
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Matthew 22:28
In the resurrection therefore, whose wife will she be of the seven? For they all had her.”
In this debate about resurrection, the word anchors the question of identity and relationship status beyond death.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does gynē always mean 'wife'?
Why does Jesus sometimes call women 'Woman'?
How does this word appear in genealogies?
Every Occurrence (199 verses across 15 books)
Matthew 30 verses
But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son…
Matthew 1:24Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife to himself;
Matthew 5:28but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his…
Matthew 5:31“It was also said, ‘Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,’
Matthew 5:32but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and…
Matthew 9:20Behold, a woman who had a discharge of blood for twelve years came behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment;
Matthew 9:22But Jesus, turning around and seeing her, said, “Daughter, cheer up! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was…
Matthew 11:11Most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the…
Matthew 13:33He spoke another parable to them. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast which a woman took and hid in three measures of…
Matthew 14:3For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.
Matthew 14:21Those who ate were about five thousand men, in addition to women and children.
Matthew 15:22Behold, a Canaanite woman came out from those borders and cried, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, you son of David! My…
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 15:38Those who ate were four thousand men, in addition to women and children.
Matthew 18:25But because he couldn’t pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, with his wife, his children, and all that he had, and…
Matthew 19:3Pharisees came to him, testing him and saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?”
Matthew 19:5and said, ‘For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife; and the two shall…
Matthew 19:8He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the…
Matthew 19:9I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he…
Matthew 19:10His disciples said to him, “If this is the case of the man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry.”
Matthew 19:29Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my…
Matthew 22:24saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up…
Matthew 22:25Now there were with us seven brothers. The first married and died, and having no offspring left his wife to his brother.
Matthew 22:27After them all, the woman died.
Matthew 22:28In the resurrection therefore, whose wife will she be of the seven? For they all had her.”
Matthew 26:7a woman came to him having an alabaster jar of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the…
Matthew 26:10However, knowing this, Jesus said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? She has done a good work for me.
Matthew 27:19While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man,…
Matthew 27:55Many women were there watching from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, serving him.
Matthew 28:5The angel answered the women, “Don’t be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified.