πατραλῴας (patralōas)
patralōas
patricide
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun patralōas denotes a parricide, specifically one who has killed their father. Its construction combines the word for father with a root meaning to strike or smite, creating a precise term for this specific act of violence. In classical Greek, it could also refer generally to a striker of parents, but in biblical usage, the focus remains on the fatal crime.
This rare word appears only once in the New Testament, within Paul’s list of lawbreakers in 1 Timothy 1:9. By including patricide alongside other serious offenses like murder and idolatry, Paul highlights actions that fundamentally violate the natural order and divine commandment to honor parents. The term underscores the gravity of breaking familial bonds through lethal violence.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word patralōas appears only once in the New Testament, found in Paul’s letter to Timothy. It describes a person who has killed their father, combining the idea of a parent with the act of striking down. This rare term highlights the extreme seriousness of violating the most basic human bond.
Paul lists this crime alongside other grave sins to show that God’s law protects the foundations of society and family. When we honor our parents, we respect the order God established. Breaking that trust through violence is a profound rejection of divine design.
For your faith, this reminds us that love for family is sacred. We are called to protect these relationships, not destroy them. Trusting in God’s guidance helps us navigate difficult family dynamics with grace and respect.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- for murderers of fathers1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πατρολῴαις1×
Key Verses
-
I Timothy 1:9
as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
This verse uniquely uses patralōas to classify patricide among the lawless, showing it violates the natural order God intended for family honor.