νόθος (nothos)
nothos
illegitimate
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective nothos describes someone who is illegitimate or born outside of lawful wedlock. In the ancient world, this status often carried social stigma, distinguishing those born to concubines or slaves from children born within a formal marriage. The term appears only once in the New Testament, in Hebrews 12:8.
The author uses this specific word to contrast spiritual sons with mere bastards. By stating that believers are recognized as legitimate children rather than nothos, the text emphasizes their secure standing and inheritance within God’s family. This single usage highlights the seriousness of accepting divine discipline as proof of true sonship.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word nothos refers to someone born outside of lawful wedlock, a status that in the ancient world carried significant social stigma and denied one the rights of inheritance. In Hebrews 12:8, the author uses this term to draw a sharp line between those who are merely tolerated and those who are truly recognized as family. It is not about moral failure, but about legal standing and belonging.
For your faith, this offers profound comfort. You are not an illegitimate child stumbling on the margins of God’s household. The text assures you that when you experience discipline, it is proof that you belong to the Father. This correction is a sign of your secure status as a legitimate son or daughter, granted full rights and inheritance in Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- illegitimate children1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- νόθοι1×
Key Verses
-
Hebrews 12:8
But if you are without discipline, of which all have been made partakers, then you are illegitimate, and not children.
This verse uses the word to contrast true children who receive discipline with those who do not, establishing divine acceptance as the mark of legitimate sonship.