Greek word · G2934

κτῆνος

ktēnos

animal

A domestic animal kept as property: cattle, a pack animal, a riding animal. It is related to ktaomai, 'to acquire', so the basic idea is 'livestock one owns'.

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

What it means

κτῆνος, -ους, τό

(κτάομαι, hence primarily a possession), [in LXX chiefly for בְּהֵמָה Genesis 1:25, al., also for מִקְנֶה, צֹנֵא, etc. ;]

a beast, (in late Gk. esp.) a beast of burden: Luke 10:34 pl. (as chiefly in cl.), Acts 23:24, Revelation 18:13; of quadrupeds, as Opp. to fishes and birds (cf. Ge, l.with), 1 Corinthians 15:39.†

(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 Luke 10:34

Range of meaning

A domestic animal kept as property: cattle, a pack animal, a riding animal. It is related to ktaomai, 'to acquire', so the basic idea is 'livestock one owns'.

Against the English

KJV and YLT have 'beast', which in their English meant any domestic animal. Today 'beast' can suggest something wild or monstrous. BSB, WEB and ESV have 'animal'. NIV and NLT specify 'donkey', which is likely but is an assumption the Greek does not make.

Used elsewhere in the period

Common in the Greek Old Testament for livestock (e.g. Gen 1:24–26; Exod 20:10). In Acts 23:24 it refers to mounts provided for Paul. Close to 2 Chr 28:15, where the Greek has the weak captives set on hypozygia, 'beasts of burden'.

From the study of 1 Corinthians 15:39

Range of meaning

It comes from ktaomai, 'to acquire, possess'. The basic sense is 'property on legs': domestic animals, livestock, pack and riding animals (cattle, sheep, donkeys, horses). It is used less often for animals in general, but it does not refer especially to wild beasts.

Against the English

KJV/YLT 'beasts' can sound to modern ears like wild or fierce animals. BSB/WEB 'animals' is broader than the Greek. 'Livestock' would be the most exact.

How it drifted

In 1611 'beast' was a normal word for any four-footed animal, including cattle. Since then modern English has narrowed it toward 'wild or savage animal' or 'monster'.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the New Testament: Luke 10:34 (the Samaritan's own animal), Acts 23:24 (mounts for Paul), Revelation 18:13 (cattle as trade goods). In the Septuagint it regularly translates Hebrew behemah, 'livestock', including Genesis 1:24–26, where God makes 'livestock' alongside 'creeping things' and 'wild animals'.

Where it appears

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 10:34 κτῆνος beast

    He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

    Here: A working animal. It was probably a donkey or mule, but the text does not say which. The word comes from the idea of property, an animal one owns.

Acts · 1

  1. Acts 23:24 κτήνη Mounts

    Provide mounts for Paul to take him safely to Governor Felix.”

1 Corinthians · 1

  1. 1 Corinthians 15:39 κτηνῶν, of beasts,

    Not all flesh is the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another, and fish another.

    Here: 'Of livestock': cattle, sheep, donkeys, animals that are owned, ridden or worked. Wild animals are not the main idea. The same word stands for 'livestock' in the Greek of Genesis 1:24–26.

Revelation · 1

  1. Revelation 18:13 κτήνη cattle

    of cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, and frankincense; of wine, olive oil, fine flour, and wheat; of cattle, sheep, horses, and carriages; of bodies and souls of slaves.

    Here: Domestic animals in general, especially working and pack animals such as oxen, mules and donkeys. The English "cattle" can sound too narrow.

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