πατριά

a family, tribe

Definition

πατριά refers to a lineage or family group, often extending beyond the immediate household to include a clan or tribe. In Luke 2:4, it denotes Joseph's ancestral family line, connecting him to the house of David. In Acts 3:25, it is used in the plural to mean 'families' or 'clans' in God's promise to Abraham. Ephesians 3:15 presents a theological expansion, where every family in heaven and on earth derives its name from God the Father, suggesting a spiritual household.

Biblical Usage

This word appears only three times in the New Testament, each in distinct contexts. In Luke 2:4, it is used historically for a genealogical lineage. In Acts 3:25, it appears in a quotation from Genesis, referring to the families of the earth blessed through Abraham. In Ephesians 3:15, it is used metaphorically for all spiritual families under God's fatherhood, showing a progression from physical to universal spiritual kinship.

Etymology

Derived from πατήρ (patēr, G3962), meaning 'father,' πατριά literally means 'that which derives from a father.' It is related to πατριάρχης (patriarchēs, G3966), 'patriarch,' and denotes a group united by paternal descent. The word emphasizes lineage and ancestral identity, common in Greek and Jewish contexts for familial and tribal structures.

Semantic Range

πατριά is theologically significant as it bridges human ancestry and divine kinship. In Ephesians 3:15, it underscores that all families, earthly and heavenly, find their ultimate identity and origin in God the Father, enriching the concept of God's universal fatherhood and the unity of believers as one spiritual household under Christ.

In the ancient Greco-Roman and Jewish worlds, πατριά conveyed a strong sense of ancestral identity, often tied to inheritance, social status, and religious tradition. Unlike modern individualistic views of family, it implied a broader clan or tribe with shared heritage and obligations, which is key to understanding its use in genealogies and covenantal promises like in Acts 3:25.

γένος (genos, G1085) — a broader term for race, kind, or nation; οἶκος (oikos, G3624) — refers to a household or family dwelling, more immediate than a lineage; φυλή (phylē, G5443) — specifically a tribe, often used for the twelve tribes of Israel.

Word Details

Scripture References