οὐσία (ousia)
ousia
estate
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun ousia refers to what a person possesses: their estate, property, or material wealth. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, both within the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. The word captures the tangible assets that define a family’s standing and security.
In verse 12, the younger son requests his share of the inheritance, asking for his portion of the ousia. By verse 13, he has sold this estate and departed for a distant country. The term highlights the concrete nature of the wealth being squandered, contrasting sharply with the relational bond it was meant to sustain.
Its root connects to the verb "to be," suggesting that property is often viewed as an extension of one’s existence or status. Translators render it variously as "estate" or "property," emphasizing the physical reality of the assets rather than abstract value. This usage grounds the story in the economic realities of first-century life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ousia points to the tangible assets that define a family’s standing and security. In Luke 15, the younger son asks for his share of the estate, treating his inheritance as something separate from his relationship with his father. This request highlights how material wealth can sometimes overshadow deeper bonds.
When we consider our own lives, it is easy to find comfort in what we possess. Yet ousia reminds us that these resources are meant to sustain life, not replace the connections that truly matter. The story invites reflection on how we value what we have and who we share it with.
Ultimately, this word encourages a balanced view of provision. It acknowledges the reality of material needs while pointing toward the greater importance of relational faithfulness. May we steward our resources in ways that honor both God and those around us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- property.1×
- estate1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- οὐσίας.1×
- οὐσίαν1×
Key Verses
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Luke 15:12
The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of your property.’ So he divided his livelihood between them.
The younger son's request for his share of the property reveals how he views his inheritance as a separate entity from his familial bond.
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Luke 15:13
Not many days after, the younger son gathered all of this together and traveled into a far country. There he wasted his property with riotous living.
The son's decision to sell and leave with his estate underscores the irreversible nature of his choice to prioritize wealth over family.