Greek word · G2305

θειότης

theiotēs

divinity

'Divinity, divine nature, divine quality': the state or character of being divine. It comes from theios ('divine'), not directly from theos ('God'). It names the quality that makes something god-like and worthy of worship.

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 22, 2026

What it means

θειότης, -ητος, ἡ

(θεῖος) [in LXX: Wisdom of Solomon 18:9 * ;]

divine nature, divinity: Romans 1:20 (for ex. from π., see MM, Exp., xv).†

SYN.: θεότης, deity, godhead, divine personality. θει. = divine nature and properties, a summary term for the attributes of deity, differing from θεότης as quality or attribute from essence (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 Romans 1:20

Range of meaning: 'Divinity, divine nature, divine quality': the state or character of being divine. It comes from theios ('divine'), not directly from theos ('God'). It names the quality that makes something god-like and worthy of worship.
Against the English: KJV 'Godhead'; YLT 'Godhead'; WEB 'divinity'; BSB/NIV/ESV/NASB 'divine nature'. 'Divinity' and 'divine nature' are close. 'Godhead' is the problem for modern readers (see drift).
How it drifted: In 1611 'Godhead' was simply the '-head' form of 'God', like 'manhood' or 'maidenhead': it meant godhood or divinity. Since then it has become mostly a technical term for the Trinity ('the Godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit'). So KJV readers now often hear a doctrine of three persons in a word that only meant 'divinity'.
Used elsewhere in the period: Wisdom of Solomon 18:9 ('the law of divinity', tēs theiotētos nomon); Letter of Aristeas 95; widely used in Hellenistic writers such as Plutarch and Lucian for the divine character of gods or of honored humans. A classic distinction (R.C. Trench, Synonyms of the New Testament) contrasts it with theotēs in Col 2:9 ('deity', the full being of God): theiotēs = divine quality or attributes, theotēs = divine being. Many modern lexicographers think this distinction is real but should not be pressed too hard.

Where it appears

Romans · 1

Romans 1:20 θειότης, divinity,

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.

Here: God's 'divine-ness': that he is God and not a creature, and so deserves worship. It is not a statement about the inner life of God (such as the Trinity). It appears only here in the New Testament.

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