Greek word · G1025

βρέφος

brephos

infant

An unborn child or newborn baby, a very young child. In Luke it is used of John in the womb (1:41), of Jesus in the manger (2:12, 16), and of infants brought to Jesus (18:15).

Appears 8 times in 8 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

βρέφος, -ους, τό,

[in LXX: Sirach 19:11, 1Ma.1:61, 2Ma.6:10, 3Ma.5:49, 4Ma.4:25 * ;]

1. an unborn child: Luke 1:41, 44.

2. a newborn child, a babe: Luke 2:12, 16 18:15, Acts 7:19, 1 Peter 2:2; ἀπὸ βρέφους, from infancy, 2 Timothy 3:15.

† (AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of 2 Timothy 3:15

Range of meaning

An unborn child or newborn baby, a very young child. In Luke it is used of John in the womb (1:41), of Jesus in the manger (2:12, 16), and of infants brought to Jesus (18:15).

Against the English

"From childhood" (ESV, NASB) and "from a child" (KJV) are softer than the Greek. "From infancy" (BSB, NIV, WEB) and YLT's "from a babe" are closer.

Used elsewhere in the period

Jewish writers of the period boast that their children absorb the Law almost from the cradle. Philo says Jews are taught from their swaddling clothes (Embassy 210). Josephus says Jews learn the laws "from the first dawn of understanding" (Against Apion 2.178).

From the study of Luke 1:41

Range of meaning

A baby or infant. In Greek usage it can mean a child still in the womb (e.g., Homer, Iliad 23.266, of a mule foal unborn; Sirach 19:11 LXX speaks of labor 'over a brephos') or a newborn and very young child.

Against the English

'Baby' and 'babe' are accurate. English does not mislead here. Readers should simply know that Luke uses one word for John before birth (1:41, 44), for Jesus newborn (2:12, 16), and for small children brought to Jesus (18:15).

Used elsewhere in the period

Luke 1:41, 44; 2:12, 16; 18:15; Acts 7:19 (Hebrew infants exposed under Pharaoh); 2 Tim 3:15; 1 Pet 2:2. Ordinary Greek uses it both before and after birth.

From the study of Luke 18:15

Range of meaning

An unborn child or a baby: a newborn or an infant still being nursed. It can also be used, as a figure of speech, for someone immature or brand new to something.

Against the English

KJV 'infants' and BSB/WEB 'babies' are accurate. Translations or retellings that say 'little children' blur Luke's choice. That wording belongs to Mark 10:13 and to Jesus' reply in Luke 18:16 (paidia).

How it drifted

English retellings and artwork usually take the 'little children' picture from Mark, Matthew and the KJV of verse 16. That shows walking, talking children running to Jesus. Luke's word shows babies who had to be carried in.

Used elsewhere in the period

In Luke it is used for John leaping in the womb (1:41, 44) and for Jesus wrapped in cloths in the manger (2:12, 16). Acts 7:19 uses it for the Hebrew babies Pharaoh exposed. 2 Timothy 3:15 uses it for 'from infancy,' and 1 Peter 2:2 for 'newborn babies' craving milk. In the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament), 1 Maccabees 1:61 and 2 Maccabees 6:10 use it for nursing infants killed with their mothers.

Where it appears

Luke · 5

  1. Luke 1:41 βρέφος baby

    When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

    Here: The ordinary word for a baby. Here it means a child not yet born. Luke uses the same word for the newborn Jesus in the manger (2:12, 16).

  2. Luke 1:44 βρέφος baby

    For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.

  3. Luke 2:12 βρέφος a baby

    And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

  4. Luke 2:16 βρέφος baby

    So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the Baby, who was lying in the manger.

  5. Luke 18:15 βρέφη infants

    Now people were even bringing their babies to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them. And when the disciples saw this, they rebuked those who brought them.

    Here: Babies, not 'children' in general. Luke uses this word for John stirring in the womb and for Jesus in the manger. They had to be carried in. They could not come on their own.

Acts · 1

  1. Acts 7:19 βρέφη infants

    He exploited our people and oppressed our fathers, forcing them to abandon their infants so they would die.

    Here: Newborns and very young infants. Luke also uses this word for the baby in Elizabeth's womb (Luke 1:41) and for the newborn Jesus (Luke 2:12). Here it means the newborn Hebrew boys of Exodus 1.

2 Timothy · 1

  1. 2 Timothy 3:15 βρέφους childhood

    From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

    Here: A very young child, a baby in arms. Luke uses it even for an unborn child (Luke 1:41). The word is stronger than "childhood": Timothy cannot remember a time before the Scriptures.

1 Peter · 1

  1. 1 Peter 2:2 βρέφη babies

    Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

    Here: A baby still at the breast. The image is total dependence, with milk as the baby's whole food.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.