ᾠόν

an egg

Definition

ᾠόν (ōon) is a neuter noun that means 'an egg.' In the New Testament, it refers literally to the egg of a bird, a common food item. Its sole biblical occurrence is in Luke 11:12, where it is used in a rhetorical question from Jesus about a father's provision. There are no extended metaphorical or theological meanings attached to this specific word in the biblical text; it is used in its straightforward, literal sense.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 11:12. It appears within Jesus' teaching on prayer and the Father's goodness. The context is a comparison: 'Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?' The word functions as a simple, tangible example of a good gift a child might request from a parent, contrasting it with something harmful to illustrate God's trustworthy nature in answering prayer.

Etymology

The word ᾠόν is the standard Ancient Greek term for 'egg.' It is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *h₂ōwyóm, also meaning 'egg,' which is the source for similar words in Latin (ōvum) and English ('egg' via Old Norse). Its form and meaning remained consistent throughout classical and Koine Greek.

Semantic Range

In the ancient Mediterranean world, eggs from birds like chickens were a common, nutritious, and relatively accessible food source. In Jesus' analogy in Luke 11:12, the egg represents a simple, wholesome, and desirable gift. The shocking contrast with a scorpion (which might curl up to resemble an egg) would have been immediately understood by His audience, highlighting the utter reliability and goodness of God the Father compared to even the best human parents.

There are no direct synonyms for 'egg' in the New Testament Greek. Other words for food items or small objects (e.g., ψωμίον — psōmion, G5596, 'a little morsel, crumb') are conceptually related but not interchangeable.

Word Details

Scripture References