κοράσιον

a girl, little girl

Definition

κοράσιον (korasion) refers to a young girl, typically a female child or maiden. In the New Testament, it consistently denotes a girl who is not yet a mature woman, often implying youthfulness and sometimes a degree of vulnerability. In the Gospels, it is used for a deceased girl Jesus raises to life (Mark 5:41-42) and for a living girl in a household (Matthew 9:24-25). It also appears in the tragic story of Herodias's daughter, where the context suggests a girl of marriageable age who performs a dance (Mark 6:22, 28). The term does not specify an exact age but centers on the stage between infancy and womanhood.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, always within narrative accounts of Jesus's ministry or the Herodian court. Its usage highlights significant moments: Jesus's power over death in raising Jairus's daughter (Mark 5:41-42) and the grim outcome of Herod's oath leading to John the Baptist's execution (Mark 6:22-28). In Matthew 14:11, it similarly refers to Herodias's daughter. The pattern shows κοράσιον employed in stories involving familial relationships, miracles, and dramatic plot turns.

Etymology

κοράσιον is a diminutive form derived from the Greek κόρῃ (korē), meaning 'girl' or 'maiden.' The diminutive suffix (-ιον) adds a sense of 'little girl' or 'young girl,' conveying endearment, youth, or smallness. It is related to the more common term κόρῃ, but κοράσιον's usage in the New Testament gives it a specific narrative flavor, often appearing in emotionally charged scenes.

Semantic Range

While κοράσιον itself is not a theologically loaded term, its biblical occurrences are theologically significant. In Mark 5:41-42, Jesus addresses a dead κοράσιον with the Aramaic 'Talitha koum,' demonstrating His authority over life and death and His compassionate concern for individuals, even a young girl. In the Herod narrative (Mark 6:22-28), the word is central to a story of moral corruption and the consequence of rash oaths, contrasting worldly power with the message of John the Baptist. Understanding this Greek term helps readers see the specific humanity and vulnerability of the characters in these pivotal stories.

In the Greco-Roman and Jewish cultural setting, a κοράσιον represented a girl in her father's household, not yet independent. The term could apply from childhood up to the age of marriage. In the story of Herodias's daughter (Mark 6:22-28), her being called a κοράσιον while dancing at a royal banquet might indicate she was a teenager, old enough to perform publicly but still under her mother's influence. This differs from some modern understandings of 'girl,' which can be broader; the ancient term often carried specific social and familial connotations.

θυγάτηρ (thygatēr, G2364) — A more general term for 'daughter,' which can indicate any female offspring, often with a stronger emphasis on familial relationship. παῖς (pais, G3816) — Can mean 'child' or 'servant'; when meaning 'child,' it is gender-neutral, whereas κοράσιον is specifically feminine and young.

Word Details

Scripture References