δότης (dotēs)
dotēs
giver
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun dotēs simply means "a giver" or "bestower." It is derived from the same root as the common verb for giving, dōreō, and functions as a straightforward agent noun describing someone who provides something to another. In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in 2 Corinthians 9:7.
Paul uses it to describe the character of God, calling Him "the God who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food" before noting that He will also increase the harvest of the believers' righteousness. The term highlights the active nature of divine generosity, focusing on God as the source who initiates the provision rather than merely reacting to human need.
Because it is a rare word with such a specific lexical range, translators typically render it as "Giver" or "Provider" to capture its theological weight. It serves as a title for God’s consistent role in sustaining life and enabling generosity in others, anchoring the concept of Christian giving in the nature of God Himself.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word dotēs appears only once in the New Testament, found in Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church. He uses it to describe the heart of God, who delights in those who give freely and joyfully. This single occurrence reminds us that generosity is not just an action but a reflection of God’s own nature.
When you give from your resources, time, or kindness, you participate in a divine rhythm. God does not demand reluctant contributions; He loves the cheerful spirit behind the gift. Your giving becomes an act of worship when it flows from gratitude rather than obligation.
This truth offers comfort and direction. You do not need to measure your worth by how much you have, but by the willingness of your heart to share what God has entrusted to you. In every small act of generosity, you mirror the Giver who loves a cheerful spirit.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- giver1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- δότην1×
Key Verses
-
II Corinthians 9:7
Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
This is the only New Testament occurrence where dotēs describes the character God desires in those who give, linking human generosity to divine approval.