δόμα (doma)
doma
gift
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun doma refers simply to a gift or present. It appears in four New Testament verses, linking the generosity of God with the gratitude of believers. In Matthew 7:11 and Luke 11:13, Jesus uses it to describe the good gifts a heavenly Father gives to those who ask, emphasizing divine provision rather than human effort.
The word derives from the verb didōmi, meaning "to give." This root connection highlights that a doma is not just an object but the result of an act of giving. While other Greek words for gift exist, doma often carries a sense of something bestowed freely, as seen when Paul calls the Philippians' support a "fragrant offering" in Philippians 4:18, though the specific term doma appears in verse 17.
Its usage is straightforward and concrete. It does not carry complex theological baggage but serves to identify something given as a token of grace or relationship. Translators consistently render it as "gift," preserving its simple, direct meaning across contexts from divine promise to human partnership.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word doma simply means a gift. It reminds us that what we have comes from God’s generous hand, not our own striving. When Jesus spoke of good gifts in Matthew 7:11, He pointed to the Father’s willingness to provide for those who ask. This is not about earning favor but receiving grace freely given.
Even in human relationships, this concept shapes how we view support and partnership. Paul noted in Philippians 4:17 that he did not seek the gift itself, but the spiritual fruit it produced. We are invited to give with open hands and receive with grateful hearts, trusting that every good thing is a token of God’s care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- gifts3×
- gift,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- δόματα3×
- δόμα,1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 7:11
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
This verse establishes the Father's character as the ultimate giver of good things to those who ask.
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Luke 11:13
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”
Here the gift is specified as the Holy Spirit, showing that God’s best provision is His own presence.
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Ephesians 4:8
Therefore he says, “When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to people.”
Paul applies this term to Christ’s ascension, describing how He distributes gifts to the church for its building up.
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Philippians 4:17
Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account.
Paul uses the word to clarify that his joy lies in the spiritual fruit of the Philippians' generosity, not the material aid itself.