Greek word · G1390

δόμα

doma

gift

A gift, the thing given. A plain, concrete word, less weighty than dōrea ('free gift', often used of God's gift) or charisma ('gift of grace').

Appears 4 times in 4 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

δόμα, -τος, τό

(δίδωμι), [in LXX for מַתָּנָה, etc. ;]

a gift: Matthew 7:11, Luke 11:13, Ephesians 4:8" (LXX), Philippians 4:17.†

SYN.: δόσις, δῶρον, δωρεά, δώρημα (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 Philippians 4:17

Range of meaning

A gift, the thing given. A plain, concrete word, less weighty than dōrea ('free gift', often used of God's gift) or charisma ('gift of grace').

Against the English

English 'gift' fits. The article ('the gift') matters: Paul means this specific gift, not that he never wants support. BSB 'a gift' and KJV 'a gift' slightly blur this.

Used elsewhere in the period

Matt 7:11 ('give good gifts to your children'); Eph 4:8 quoting Ps 68 (LXX 67):19 ('he gave gifts to men'); common in the Septuagint and papyri for presents and payments in kind.

Where it appears

Matthew · 1

  1. Matthew 7:11 δόματα gifts

    So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

    Here: Things given. The examples from verses 9–10 are basic food, bread and fish, so 'gifts' here means everyday provision, not luxuries or treats.

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 11:13 δόματα gifts

    So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

    Here: Concrete things handed over: in context, food (fish, egg, and bread in some manuscripts of v. 11).

Ephesians · 1

  1. Ephesians 4:8 δόματα gifts

    This is why it says: “When He ascended on high, He led captives away, and gave gifts to men.”

    Here: 'Gifts', the word the Greek psalm uses. Here it is tied to 'the gift (dōrea) of Christ' in verse 7. Verse 11 shows that the gifts are people given to the church: apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers.

Philippians · 1

  1. Philippians 4:17 δόμα, gift,

    Not that I am seeking a gift, but I am looking for the fruit that may be credited to your account.

    Here: The actual thing given, here money and perhaps supplies sent to Paul in custody. It is an everyday word for the present itself.

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