ἀλέκτωρ

a cock, rooster

Definition

The Greek word ἀλέκτωρ specifically refers to a rooster or cock, a male domestic fowl. In the New Testament, it is used exclusively in the context of Jesus's prediction of Peter's denial (Matthew 26:34, Mark 14:30, Luke 22:34) and the subsequent fulfillment of that prediction (Matthew 26:74-75, Mark 14:68-72, Luke 22:60). The crowing of the rooster serves as a precise time marker in the narrative, signaling the moment of Peter's failure and his immediate, profound remorse. There are no other distinct meanings or uses of the word in the biblical text.

Biblical Usage

ἀλέκτωρ is used 11 times in the New Testament, appearing only in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) within the Passion narrative. Its usage is highly patterned: it first appears in Jesus's prophecy that Peter will deny him three times before the rooster crows (or crows twice in Mark's account). It then appears in the narration of the fulfillment, where Peter hears the rooster crow and remembers Jesus's words, leading to his bitter weeping. The word is never used in a general or agricultural sense, but solely as a dramatic narrative device.

Etymology

The word is derived from the prefix ἀ- (a-, meaning 'not' or 'without') combined with a root related to the verb λέγω (legō, 'to say' or 'to gather'), possibly via the agent noun λέκτωρ (lektōr, 'a gatherer' or 'speaker'). The connection is debated, but one common interpretation is that it signifies a bird that 'gathers' a harem of hens or, more poetically, one that 'dispels sleep' with its crowing. It is a straightforward term for the animal with no complex semantic development in Koine Greek.

Semantic Range

While a common animal, the rooster in the Gospels carries significant theological weight. Its crow is the instrument of conviction, triggering Peter's memory of Jesus's word and leading to his repentance (Luke 22:61-62). This moment highlights human frailty, the precision of Jesus's foreknowledge, and the beginning of Peter's restoration journey. Understanding this specific Greek term anchors the story in a concrete, audible event, emphasizing that God's work in our lives often comes through ordinary means that recall His promises and confront our failures.

In the ancient Mediterranean world, roosters were well-known for crowing at dawn, making them a natural timekeeper for the start of the day. The Roman night was divided into four watches; the 'cockcrow' (ἀλεκτοροφωνία) was the name of the third watch, from midnight to about 3 a.m. (Mark 13:35). This cultural understanding makes the timing of Peter's denial more poignant—it happened not at sunrise, but in the deep darkness of the night, underscoring the spiritual darkness of the moment. The rooster's crow was a predictable, public signal, making Peter's failure unmistakably clear.

There are no direct synonyms for 'rooster' in the New Testament. For general birds, see: ὄρνις (ornis, G3733) — a general term for a bird or hen.

Word Details

Scripture References