θῆλυς (thēlus)
thēlus
female
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word thēlus simply denotes "female" or refers to a female person. In the New Testament, it functions as an adjective describing sex, but also appears as a substantive noun meaning "a woman" or "the female." Its usage is straightforward and biological, lacking the complex emotional or social connotations found in some other terms for gender.
This term appears in five verses, notably in Matthew 19:4 and Mark 10:6, where Jesus quotes Genesis to describe the creation of male and female. It also features in Romans 1:26-27 regarding natural relations, and in Galatians 3:28 within Paul’s statement about unity in Christ. The word emphasizes the fundamental distinction between sexes as part of God's original design.
Etymologically, thēlus is related to the verb thelō (G2337), which means "to will" or "to wish." While this connection might suggest a link to desire, in biblical usage thēlus strictly retains its biological sense. It serves as a neutral descriptor of human nature, highlighting that both male and female are equally part of the created order.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word thēlus appears in Scripture to name the female sex with simple clarity. In Matthew 19:4 and Mark 10:6, Jesus uses it when He speaks of God’s original design for humanity. This usage reminds us that being male or female is not a cultural accident but part of how God created people from the beginning.
Paul also employs this term in Galatians 3:28 to show that our shared identity in Christ transcends social and biological divisions. When he writes that there is neither male nor female in Christ, he does not erase the distinction thēlus names; instead, he places both sexes on equal ground before God.
For your faith, this word offers a steady anchor. It confirms that every person, regardless of gender, bears the weight of being made by God. This truth invites us to treat one another with dignity, recognizing that our differences are woven into the fabric of creation itself.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- female3×
- females1×
- female;1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- θῆλυ2×
- θῆλυ·1×
- θήλειαι1×
- θηλείας1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 19:4
He answered, “Haven’t you read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female,
Jesus quotes Genesis here, using thēlus to ground His teaching on marriage in the foundational act of creation.
-
Mark 10:6
But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female.
This parallel account reinforces that the distinction between male and female is rooted in the beginning of human history.
-
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Paul uses thēlus to list categories that are dissolved in spiritual unity, showing that gender distinctions do not determine standing in Christ.