δῶρον (dōron)
dōron
gift
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 17 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word dōron simply means a gift or present. In the New Testament, it appears in seventeen verses, most frequently in Matthew and Hebrews. It describes tangible items given to people, such as the gold and spices brought by the Magi in Matthew 2:11, or the coins placed in the temple treasury as recorded in Luke 21:1.
However, the term carries significant religious weight when applied to offerings for God. The sources note that it often translates Hebrew terms for sacrifices or meal offerings. Jesus uses this word to critique ritual neglect in Matthew 5:23-24 and Mark 7:11, highlighting how traditional gift-giving customs can sometimes distract from deeper moral duties.
Its root connects to the verb "to give," emphasizing the act of bestowal rather than just the object. While translators usually render it as "gift" or "offering," the context determines whether it refers to a personal present or a sacred sacrifice. This distinction helps readers understand why Paul can describe God’s grace as a dōron in Ephesians 2:8, framing salvation not as earned payment but as an unmerited gift.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word dōron appears in seventeen New Testament verses, describing everything from the Magi’s gold and myrrh to the widow’s small coins. It reminds us that giving is not just about the value of what we hand over, but the heart behind it. In Matthew 5:23-24, Jesus teaches that reconciliation with others takes priority even over religious rituals, showing that our relationships matter deeply to God.
Paul uses this same term in Ephesians 2:8 to describe salvation itself as a gift from God. This shifts our focus from earning favor to receiving grace. When we understand that our standing before God is unearned, it frees us to give freely and love without keeping score. This perspective invites us to view every act of giving as an opportunity to reflect God’s generosity.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 17 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- gifts7×
- gift6×
- gifts,2×
- gift?1×
- gift,1×
- a gift,1×
- [It is] a gift1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- δῶρόν3×
- δῶρά3×
- δῶρον3×
- δῶρα3×
- δῶρον,2×
- δῶρα,2×
- δῶρον;1×
- δώρῳ1×
- δώροις1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 2:11
They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
This verse shows the tangible gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh offered by the Magi, highlighting worship through material provision.
-
Ephesians 2:8
for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
Paul identifies salvation itself as a dōron from God, emphasizing that grace is received rather than earned.
-
Luke 21:4
for all these put in gifts for God from their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, put in all that she had to live on.”
The widow’s offering illustrates that the value of a gift lies in sacrifice and devotion, not monetary amount.
-
Matthew 5:23
“If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you,
Jesus prioritizes reconciliation over ritual, showing that broken relationships hinder even the most sacred offerings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does dōron mean in the New Testament?
How is dōron different from other words for gift?
Why does Jesus mention dōron in Matthew 5?
Where else does this word appear?
Every Occurrence (17 verses across 6 books)
Matthew 7 verses
They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening…
Matthew 5:23“If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you,
Matthew 5:24leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer…
Matthew 8:4Jesus said to him, “See that you tell nobody; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses…
Matthew 15:5But you say, ‘Whoever may tell his father or his mother, “Whatever help you might otherwise have gotten from me is a…
Matthew 23:18And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obligated.’
Matthew 23:19You blind fools! For which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift?