συγγενής (sungenēs)
sungenēs
kindred
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective suggenēs describes a relationship of kinship, covering both blood relatives and fellow countrymen. Derived from roots meaning "with" and "race" or "generation," it points to a shared origin or lineage. In the New Testament, this word bridges the gap between family ties and national identity, reflecting how ancient Jewish thought often conflated ethnic belonging with familial connection.
Its usage varies by context. In Luke 1:58, Mary speaks of her "kinswomen," referring to close female relatives who celebrate her news. In contrast, Romans 9:3 uses the term for Paul’s fellow Israelites, emphasizing a shared national heritage rather than immediate family bonds. This dual sense allows the word to describe anyone connected by a common root, whether through birth or ethnicity.
Translators typically render suggenēs as "kinsman," "relative," or "countryman" depending on the surrounding text. The distinction from other Greek words for relation is subtle but important; while some terms focus on household members, suggenēs retains a broader scope that includes tribal or national groups. This flexibility highlights how early Christian writers understood community as extending beyond the nuclear family to include those bound by shared history and faith.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word συγγενής (sungenēs) reminds us that our connections run deep, stretching from blood relations to shared national or ethnic identity. In ancient Jewish thought, being a kinsman meant sharing a common root and history. This broad view of community helps us see how early Christians understood belonging not just as family ties, but as a bond of shared faith and heritage.
When Jesus spoke of being rejected by his own relatives (Mark 6:4), or when Paul longed for the salvation of his kinsmen (Romans 9:3), he showed that these ties carry weight. Yet, the New Testament also expands this circle. Believers are called to greet one another as kin, even when separated by distance or circumstance (Romans 16:7). This invites us to value every person God places in our path.
Understanding this word encourages a humble view of community. It is not just about who we know by birth, but who shares our journey in faith. Whether celebrating with neighbors like Mary did (Luke 1:58) or supporting fellow workers like Paul, we find strength in these sacred bonds. May you cherish the relationships God gives you, knowing they reflect His broader plan for unity.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- relatives6×
- kinsmen3×
- kinsman2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- συγγενεῖς5×
- συγγενῶν2×
- συγγενεῦσιν2×
- συγγενῆν1×
- συγγενὴς1×
Key Verses
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Mark 6:4
Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his own house.”
This verse highlights the painful reality that even those closest by blood can fail to recognize a prophet's honor.
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Luke 1:58
Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.
Here, the term describes neighbors and relatives who share in Mary’s joy, showing kinship as a source of communal celebration.
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Romans 9:3
For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers’ sake, my relatives according to the flesh
Paul uses this word to express his deep anguish for his fellow Israelites, emphasizing a shared national heritage rather than immediate family.
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Romans 16:7
Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives and my fellow prisoners, who are notable among the apostles, who were also in Christ before me.
This occurrence shows that Christian kinship can include fellow prisoners and those who believed before the writer, expanding the definition of relative.