πετεινός (peteinos)
peteinos
bird
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 14 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word peteinos describes something winged or flying, functioning as an adjective that qualifies nouns to mean "bird" or "birds." In the New Testament, it appears primarily in the Gospels and Acts, often referring to the birds of the air. This term distinguishes flying creatures from land animals or sea life, capturing their nature as beings that inhabit the sky.
Its usage is concrete and observational rather than symbolic. Jesus employs this word when pointing to the birds in Matthew 6:26 and Luke 12:24, highlighting their freedom from anxiety about food to illustrate God’s care for creation. Similarly, it appears in parables like the mustard seed in Mark 4:32, where birds nest among branches, emphasizing the small beginning that leads to a large shelter.
The word connects directly to the Hebrew concept of winged creatures found in the Old Testament. By using peteinos, the New Testament writers maintain this broad category of flying animals without adding extra theological weight. It serves as a simple, factual descriptor for creatures that fly, grounding spiritual lessons in everyday observation of nature.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word peteinos simply means 'bird' or refers to winged creatures of the air. In the Gospels, Jesus uses this ordinary term to draw attention to the natural world around Him. He points out that birds do not toil or store grain in barns, yet God provides for their daily needs. This observation invites us to consider our own place in creation and the care that extends to all living things.
When we look at these small creatures, we see a reminder of God's attentive provision. Jesus contrasts the birds' freedom from anxiety with human worry about food and clothing. The message is not that we should ignore practical responsibilities, but that we can trust in the One who sustains even the smallest parts of His world. This perspective offers comfort when life feels overwhelming.
Similarly, in parables like the mustard seed, birds nesting in branches illustrate how small beginnings can grow into places of shelter. These images ground spiritual truths in everyday experience. They suggest that God’s kingdom works in ways we can observe and understand, offering hope through simple, visible signs of growth and care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 14 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- birds12×
- of birds,1×
- birds?1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πετεινὰ11×
- πετεινῶν;1×
- πετεινῶν,1×
- πετεινῶν1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 6:26
See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they?
Jesus uses the birds to illustrate God's direct provision, contrasting their lack of agricultural labor with the Father's care.
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Luke 12:24
Consider the ravens: they don’t sow, they don’t reap, they have no warehouse or barn, and God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than birds!
The reference to ravens highlights that God feeds creatures without storage facilities, emphasizing human value over material anxiety.
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Mark 4:32
yet when it is sown, grows up and becomes greater than all the herbs, and puts out great branches, so that the birds of the sky can lodge under its shadow.”
Birds lodging in the mustard tree's branches symbolize the expansive shelter provided by the growing kingdom of God.
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Matthew 8:20
Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”
Jesus notes that birds have secure nests, contrasting their stability with His own lack of a permanent home as the Son of Man.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word peteinos mean?
How is peteinos used in Jesus' teachings?
Where else does this word appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (14 verses across 6 books)
Matthew 4 verses
See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds…
Matthew 8:20Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his…
Matthew 13:4As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and devoured them.
Matthew 13:32which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that…