θυγάτριον (thugatrion)
thugatrion
little daughter
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun thugatrion translates simply as "little daughter," functioning as a diminutive of the standard word for daughter. This grammatical form adds a layer of tenderness and intimacy to the term, marking it as a phrase of endearment rather than a neutral descriptor of family relation.
Its usage in the New Testament is rare, appearing only twice within the Gospel of Mark. In both instances, it describes young girls facing serious illness: Jairus’s dying child in Mark 5:23 and the Syrophoenician woman’s afflicted daughter in Mark 7:25. The specific choice of this word highlights the vulnerability of these children while simultaneously conveying the deep affection felt by their parents.
Although the term appears in later Greek literature as a common pet name, its biblical presence is confined to these two narrative moments. By using this diminutive, the text emphasizes the personal stakes involved, framing the miracles not just as public displays of power but as intimate responses to parental love and desperation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word thugatrion is a tender Greek term meaning "little daughter." It is not merely a neutral label for a child but carries a sense of intimacy and affection. In the Gospels, it appears only twice, both times in moments of deep parental distress. Jesus encounters these words when parents bring their vulnerable children to Him, seeking healing from severe illness.
When Jairus asks Jesus to touch his thugatrion, or when a foreign mother pleads for hers, the focus is not on political power but on personal love. This reminds us that God cares about the specific, fragile people in our lives. He does not see our loved ones as abstract cases but knows them by name and hears our quiet pleas with compassion.
Even when circumstances seem hopeless, this word shows that Jesus welcomes our intimate appeals. We can bring our deepest fears for those we love to Him, trusting that He values their life and hears our hearts.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- little daughter2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- θυγάτριόν1×
- θυγάτριον1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 5:23
and begged him much, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Please come and lay your hands on her, that she may be made healthy, and live.”
This verse highlights the urgency of Jairus's plea, using the diminutive to emphasize his daughter's critical condition and his desperate hope for her survival.
-
Mark 7:25
For a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, having heard of him, came and fell down at his feet.
Here the term underscores the mother's humility and determination, as she approaches Jesus despite social barriers to save her afflicted child.