ἔριφος
a goat
Definition
ἔριφος refers specifically to a young goat or kid, not just any goat. In the New Testament, it is used in two distinct contexts. In the parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:32-33), it represents the goats separated for judgment, symbolizing those who did not show compassion. In the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:29), the elder brother complains that he was never given even a young goat to celebrate with his friends, highlighting its value as a festive meal and a symbol of provision.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only twice in the New Testament, both in parables of Jesus. In Matthew 25:32-33, it is used symbolically in the eschatological separation of the righteous (sheep) from the unrighteous (goats). In Luke 15:29, it is used literally, referring to a valuable domestic animal that could be slaughtered for a celebratory feast. Both uses leverage the animal's cultural associations.
Etymology
The word ἔριφος is a native Greek noun for a young goat or kid. It is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *h₁er- meaning 'to move, set in motion,' likely referring to the animal's lively, frisky nature. It is a distinct term from the more general word for goat (αἴξ, aix, Strong's G100).
Semantic Range
Theologically, ἔριφος gains significance primarily through its symbolic use in Matthew 25. Understanding that it specifies a 'young goat' enriches the parable's imagery, contrasting the vulnerable, dependent nature of a kid with the shepherd's sheep. Its use in Luke 15 underscores themes of perceived injustice and the father's generous love, as the brother focuses on a denied goat while the father offers the far greater 'fatted calf.'
In the ancient Near East, goats were common livestock, valued for their milk, hair, and meat. A young goat (kid) was considered a choice food for a special meal or celebration, as seen in Luke 15:29. In Jewish ritual, goats were also used for sin offerings (Leviticus 16), which may subtly inform the symbolic separation for judgment in Matthew 25.
αἴξ (aix, G100) — The general term for a goat, of any age or gender. ἔριφος specifies a young goat or kid.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
Full methodology & sources →