σός

yours, thy, thine

Definition

The Greek adjective σός is a possessive pronoun meaning 'your' or 'yours' (singular). It denotes something that belongs to or is associated with the person being addressed. In the New Testament, it consistently expresses personal possession, often in direct address to an individual, as seen when Jesus asks, 'Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?' (Matthew 7:3). It can refer to both tangible items, like a denarius in Matthew 20:14 ('Take what is yours and go'), and intangible aspects, such as one's faith or actions, as in the warning of Matthew 7:22 about those who say, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name...?'

Biblical Usage

Σός is used 23 times in the New Testament, primarily in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, within direct discourse, especially from Jesus. It frequently appears in parables and teachings to personalize instruction and highlight individual responsibility. For example, it is used in questions of accountability ('Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own?' Matthew 20:15) and in contexts of personal testimony ('Go home to your own people and tell them...' Mark 5:19). Its usage underscores a direct, relational address between speaker and listener.

Etymology

Σός is the Attic Greek form of the possessive adjective. It is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *twe-, which is also the source of the Latin 'tuus' (your) and is related to the Greek personal pronoun σύ (sy, G4771 - 'you'). It functions as the possessive form corresponding to the second person singular pronoun.

Semantic Range

While a common possessive word, σός gains theological significance in how it frames ownership and relationship in Jesus's teachings. It personalizes calls to discipleship, repentance, and accountability, directly linking the listener's actions, faith, and possessions to their standing before God. In passages like Matthew 25:25 ('I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground'), it underscores the biblical principle of stewardship—that what we call 'ours' is ultimately entrusted to us by God. Understanding this direct, possessive address enriches reading by highlighting the intimate and demanding nature of Jesus's call to individuals.

In the Greco-Roman world, possessive pronouns like σός carried strong connotations of personal honor, social obligation, and the boundaries of one's household (oikos). What was 'yours' defined your social identity, responsibilities, and liabilities. This cultural weight informs passages about settling accounts (Matthew 18:28-33) or the return of a master's property (Matthew 25:25), where possession implies strict accountability within a patron-client or master-servant framework.

ὑμέτερος (hymeteros, G5212) — The possessive for 'your' (plural), used when addressing a group. ἴδιος (idios, G2398) — Emphasizes something as one's 'own' private possession, often distinct from communal property.

Word Details

Scripture References