ἐρίφιον (eriphion)
eriphion
a goat
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun eriphion refers to a young goat, or kid. It appears in only two verses in the New Testament: Matthew 25:33 and Luke 15:29. In both cases, it describes an animal used for food or sacrifice, highlighting its value as a source of sustenance.
Its root word, eriphos, simply means goat, while eriphion is a diminutive form that specifies the age or size of the animal. This distinction helps clarify the specific type of livestock being discussed, rather than just any goat. The term underscores the practical aspect of these animals in daily life and religious contexts.
Translators typically render eriphion as "kid" or "young goat," maintaining the nuance of youth conveyed by the diminutive form. This choice ensures that readers understand the specific nature of the animal involved, whether it is being offered in sacrifice or prepared for a meal. The consistent use of this term across translations preserves the original meaning and context.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word eriphion refers to a young goat or kid. In Matthew 25:33, Jesus uses this image when describing the final judgment. He places sheep on his right and goats on his left. This simple agricultural scene helps us understand how clearly God separates those who follow Him from those who do not.
For your faith, this reminds you that your standing before God is real and significant. You are invited to be among the sheep, known by their care for others. The young goat here represents a life lived apart from that love. It is a sobering thought, but also one that highlights the value of choosing kindness.
May you find comfort in knowing that Christ welcomes those who show mercy. His judgment is just, but His invitation to grace is wide open for all who seek Him with a humble heart.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the goats1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐρίφια1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 25:33
He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
The word appears here as part of the metaphor where Jesus separates the righteous from the unrighteous, using the goat to represent those who did not show mercy.