κόραξ
a raven
Definition
The Greek word κόραξ specifically refers to a raven, a large, black bird of the corvid family. In the New Testament, it is used in its literal, zoological sense to denote the common raven (Corvus corax). Its sole biblical appearance is in Luke 12:24, where Jesus uses the raven as an illustration in His teaching. The word carries no extended metaphorical or symbolic meaning in the biblical text itself, though its use in the illustration is highly significant.
Biblical Usage
Κόραξ is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 12:24. In this context, Jesus employs the raven as a concrete example in His discourse on God's providential care and the folly of anxiety. He points out that ravens 'neither sow nor reap,' yet God feeds them, arguing that His disciples are of far greater value. The usage is purely illustrative, drawing from observable nature to make a theological point about trust and priority.
Etymology
The word κόραξ (korax) is a native Greek term, derived from the onomatopoeic root *kor-, imitating the bird's harsh cry. It is cognate with the Latin 'corvus' and the English 'crow,' all pointing back to a common Indo-European root for the bird or its call. Its meaning remained stable, referring specifically to the raven throughout classical and Koine Greek.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is a common noun, its use in Luke 12:24 is theologically rich. Jesus uses the raven to underscore God's faithful providence and care for His creation. This illustration directly challenges human anxiety and misplaced priorities, elevating the doctrine of God as sustainer. Understanding that Jesus chose a common, unclean bird (Leviticus 11:15) makes the argument more powerful: if God cares for such creatures, how much more will He care for His own people?
In the ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman world, ravens were often viewed as scavengers and omens, sometimes associated with impurity or misfortune. In Jewish law, the raven was listed among the unclean birds not to be eaten (Leviticus 11:15; Deuteronomy 14:14). Jesus' choice of this specific bird, rather than a more 'noble' creature, would have been striking to His audience, emphasizing that God's care extends even to creatures considered insignificant or undesirable.
πετεινόν (peteinon, G4071) — A general term for 'bird' or 'fowl'; κόραξ is a specific type of πετεινόν.
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.
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