ἐμός

mine

Definition

The adjective ἐμός is a possessive pronoun meaning 'my' or 'mine,' indicating ownership or close personal relationship. It is used to denote something that belongs to the speaker, such as possessions (Matthew 20:15), responsibilities (Matthew 25:27), or even people in a relational sense (Luke 15:31). In some contexts, especially in the words of Jesus, it carries a profound sense of divine authority and unique relationship, as seen when He speaks of 'my Father' or 'my glory' (Matthew 20:23, Mark 8:38). It consistently emphasizes a direct, personal claim.

Biblical Usage

ἐμός appears 62 times in the New Testament, predominantly in the Gospels, especially in the direct speech of Jesus. It is used in parables to illustrate ownership (e.g., the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:27), in teachings about discipleship and reward (Mark 10:40), and in declarations of Jesus' unique relationship with the Father (e.g., John's Gospel, though not in the provided references, frequently uses it in this way). Its usage is almost exclusively in the first person, reinforcing a personal and authoritative tone.

Etymology

Derived from the first-person singular pronoun ἐγώ (egō, G1473), meaning 'I.' It is the standard possessive adjective form in Greek, directly linked to the speaker. Cognates include ἡμός (hēmos, 'our'), showing its place in the pronoun paradigm. Its meaning is stable, simply denoting possession originating from 'I.'

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it is frequently on the lips of Jesus, underscoring His unique identity and authority. When He says 'my Father' or 'my glory,' it asserts His divine sonship and pre-existence (Mark 8:38, Luke 9:26). In Matthew 18:20 ('where two or three are gathered in my name'), 'my name' signifies the exclusive basis for Christian gathering and prayer. Understanding ἐμός helps readers see Jesus' personal claim over His followers, His work, and His relationship with God, enriching passages about discipleship, inheritance, and Christology.

In the Greco-Roman world, possessive language like ἐμός could denote legal ownership, familial ties, or social obligation. Its use by Jesus would resonate in a culture familiar with masters claiming servants or fathers claiming sons. However, Jesus often uses it in ways that transcend mere possession, pointing to a relational bond (as in the father's words to the prodigal son's brother in Luke 15:31, 'all that is mine is yours') that reflects the intimate, generous character of God's kingdom versus purely economic or hierarchical claims.

ἐμός is the standard possessive. Related words include: σός (sos, G4674) — meaning 'your' (singular); ἡμέτερος (hēmeteros, G2251) — meaning 'our'; and the genitive case of the personal pronoun μου (mou) — which can also mean 'my' but is an enclitic pronoun, often used for simple possession without the emphatic or adjectival force of ἐμός.

Word Details

Scripture References