θυγάτηρ (thugatēr)
thugatēr
daughter
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 27 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun thugatēr simply means "daughter," but its usage in Scripture extends far beyond biological kinship. In the Gospels, it frequently appears as a term of friendly address or respect. Jesus uses this form to speak kindly to women who approach Him with desperate needs, such as the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:28 and the hemorrhaging woman in Mark 5:34, signaling both compassion and dignity.
The word also carries significant metaphorical weight. It can denote spiritual lineage, referring to descendants of Abraham or Aaron, or it serves as a poetic personification for the inhabitants of a city, such as the "daughters of Zion" in Luke 23:28. This Hebraic usage allows the term to represent entire communities or generations under God’s care.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word thugatēr means daughter, but in Scripture it carries a warmth that goes beyond biology. Jesus often used this term when speaking to women who approached Him with desperate needs. In Mark 5:34, He tells the woman healed of bleeding, “Daughter, your faith has made you well.” This simple address restored her dignity and affirmed her worth before God. It reminds us that in Christ’s eyes, every person is seen as an individual beloved by the Father.
Yet the word also points to spiritual belonging. In Luke 13:16, Jesus defends a woman bound by illness, calling her “a daughter of Abraham.” Here, the term highlights our shared identity in God’s covenant family. Whether referring to physical kin or spiritual heritage, this word invites us into a community where we are known, valued, and cared for.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 27 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- daughter17×
- daughters3×
- daughter,2×
- a daughter2×
- of [the] daughter1×
- daughters,1×
- Daughters1×
- Daughter,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- θυγάτηρ11×
- θυγατέρα4×
- θυγατέρες3×
- θυγατρὸς3×
- θυγάτηρ,2×
- θύγατερ,1×
- θυγατέρων1×
- θυγατέρας,1×
- θυγατρός1×
- θυγατρὶ1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 5:34
He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be cured of your disease.”
Jesus uses this direct address to restore the woman's dignity after her healing, affirming her personal faith.
-
Luke 13:16
Ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham whom Satan had bound eighteen long years, be freed from this bondage on the Sabbath day?”
The term identifies the woman as part of God’s covenant people, justifying her release from suffering on the Sabbath.
-
Matthew 9:22
But Jesus, turning around and seeing her, said, “Daughter, cheer up! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.
Jesus pairs this familial title with encouragement, linking her healing directly to her trust in Him.
-
Luke 1:5
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
This usage establishes Elizabeth’s priestly lineage through her mother, grounding the narrative in historical religious context.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word thugatēr mean?
Why does Jesus call women "daughter" in the Gospels?
Is "daughter of Abraham" a literal family relationship?
Every Occurrence (27 verses across 7 books)
Matthew 8 verses
While he told these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but…
Matthew 9:22But Jesus, turning around and seeing her, said, “Daughter, cheer up! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was…
Matthew 10:35For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against…
Matthew 10:37He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t…
Matthew 14:6But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced among them and pleased Herod.
Matthew 15:22Behold, a Canaanite woman came out from those borders and cried, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, you son of David! My…
Matthew 15:28Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire.” And her daughter was…
Matthew 21:5“Tell the daughter of Zion, behold, your King comes to you, humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a…