θυγάτριον

a little daughter

Definition

θυγάτριον is a diminutive noun meaning 'little daughter' or 'young daughter,' conveying a sense of endearment, youth, or smallness. It specifically refers to a female child, emphasizing her status as a dependent and beloved family member. In its two New Testament occurrences (Mark 5:23, Mark 7:25), it consistently describes a girl in need of healing, highlighting her vulnerability and the parental affection directed toward her.

Biblical Usage

This word appears only in the Gospel of Mark, both times in narratives involving Jesus' miraculous healings. In Mark 5:23, Jairus pleads for his 'little daughter' who is near death. In Mark 7:25, a Syrophoenician woman begs Jesus to heal her 'little daughter' possessed by an unclean spirit. The usage consistently portrays a desperate parent advocating for a suffering young girl, emphasizing familial love and the child's helpless condition.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek word θυγάτηρ (thygatēr, G2364), meaning 'daughter,' with the addition of the diminutive suffix -ιον (-ion). The diminutive form adds connotations of smallness, youth, or affection, similar to adding 'little' or 'dear' in English. It is a standard Greek morphological construction for creating endearing or specifying smaller versions of nouns.

Semantic Range

While not a theologically heavy term, θυγάτριον enriches our understanding of Jesus' ministry by highlighting His compassion for vulnerable individuals and the faith of parents. The word's affectionate nuance underscores the value of children in God's kingdom and the personal, relational nature of Jesus' miracles. It reminds readers that Christ's power meets human need in the most intimate family contexts.

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, children, especially daughters, had limited social status and were often dependent on paternal authority. The use of a diminutive like θυγάτριον could reflect both the child's youth and the cultural tendency to view daughters as precious but vulnerable members of the household. The term captures the emotional weight a parent placed on a daughter's life, which aligns with the narratives' emphasis on desperate parental intervention.

θυγάτηρ (thygatēr, G2364) — the standard word for 'daughter,' without the diminutive's affectionate or specifying nuance; παιδίον (paidion, G3813) — a more general term for 'young child' or 'little one,' which can be either male or female.

Word Details

Scripture References