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Only Begotten
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Lexical Summary
monogenés: Only begotten, unique, one and only
Original Word: μονογενής
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: monogenés
Pronunciation: mo-no-ge-NACE
Phonetic Spelling: (mon-og-en-ace')
KJV: only (begotten, child)
NASB: only begotten, only
Word Origin: [from
G3441 (μόνος - alone) and
G1096 (γίνομαι - become)]
1. only-born, i.e. sole
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
only begotten, child.
From
monos and
ginomai; only-born, i.e. Sole -- only (begotten, child).
see GREEK
monos
see GREEK
ginomai
HELPS Word-studies
3439 monogenḗs (from
3411 /misthōtós, "one-and-only" and
1085 /génos, "offspring, stock") –
properly, one-and-only; "one of a kind" – literally, "one (monos) of a class, genos" (the only of its kind).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3439: μονογενής
μονογενής, μονογενές (μόνος and γένος) (Cicero,unigena; Vulg. (in Lukeunicus, elsewhere) and in ecclesiastical writingsunigenitus), single of its kind, only (A. V. only-begotten); used of only sons or daughters (viewed in relation to their parents), Hesiod theog. 426, 448; Herodotus 7, 221; Plato, Critias 113 d.; Josephus, Antiquities 1, 13, 1; 2, 7, 4; μονογενές τέκνον πατρί, Aeschylus Ag. 898. So in the Scriptures:
Hebrews 11:17; μονογενῆ εἶναι τίνι (to be one's only son or daughter),
Judges 11:34; Tobit 3:15;
Luke 7:12;
Luke 8:42;
Luke 9:38; (cf. Westcott on Epistles of John, pp. 162ff). Hence, the expression ὁ μονογενής υἱός τοῦ Θεοῦ and υἱός τοῦ Θεοῦ ὁ μονογονης,
John 3:16, 18;
John 1:18 (see below);
1 John 4:9; μονογενής παρά πατρός,
John 1:14 (some take this generally, owing to the omission of the article (cf. Green, pp. 48f)), used of Christ, denotes the only son of God or one who in the sense in which he himself is the son of God has no brethren. He is so spoken of by John not because ὁ λόγος which was ἐνσαρκωθεις in him was eternally generated by God the Father (the orthodox interpretation), or came forth from the being of God just before the beginning of the world (Subordinationism), but because by the incarnation (ἐνσαρκωσις) of the λόγος in him he is of nature or essentially Son of God, and so in a very different sense from that in which men are made by him τέκνα τοῦ Θεοῦ (
John 1:13). For since in the writings of John the title ὁ ἱυος τοῦ Θεοῦ is given only to the historic Christ so called, neither the Logos alone, nor Jesus alone, but ὁ λόγος ὁ ἐνσαρκωθεις or Jesus through the λόγος united with God, is ὁ μονογενής υἱός τοῦ Θεοῦ. The reading μονογενής Θεός (without the article before μονογενής) in
John 1:18, — which is supported by no inconsiderable weight of ancient testimony, received into the text by Tregelles, and Westcott and Hort, defended with much learning by Dr. Hort ("On μονογενής Θεός in Scripture and Tradition in his Two Dissertations" Camb. and Lond. 1876), and seems not improbable to Harnack (in the Theol. Lit.-Zeit. for 1876, p. 541ff) (and Weiss (in Meyer 6te Aufl. at the passage)), but is foreign to John's mode of thought and speech (
John 3:16, 18;
1 John 4:9), dissonant and harsh — appears to owe its origin to a dogmatic zeal which broke out soon after the early days of the church; (see articles on the reading by Prof. Abbot in the Bib. Sacr. for Oct. 1861 and in the Unitarian Rev. for June 1875 (in the latter copious references to other discussions of the same passage are given); see also Prof. Drummond in the Theol. Rev. for Oct. 1871). Further, see Grimm, Exgt. Hdbch. on Sap., p. 152f; (Westcott as above).
Topical Lexicon
Identity and Scope in Scripture
The term rendered “only begotten” or “one and only” appears nine times in the Greek New Testament, designating a single, unique offspring. Six usages highlight Jesus Christ (
John 1:14;
John 1:18;
John 3:16;
John 3:18;
Hebrews 11:17;
1 John 4:9); three describe an only child in critical need (
Luke 7:12;
Luke 8:42;
Luke 9:38). The dual pattern—Christological and familial—links divine revelation to common human experience, underscoring the preciousness of an irreplaceable child.
Christological Significance
John 3:16 declares, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The title stresses the Son’s uniqueness, not origin in time.
John 1:18 adds, “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.” Thus, μονογενής upholds both the full deity of Christ and His intimate, eternal fellowship with the Father. The word guards against any suggestion of multiple divine sons or created divinity, reinforcing the singular mediation of Christ.
Trinitarian Implications
Because μονογενής distinguishes the Son within the Godhead, it safeguards orthodox Trinitarian confession: one God, three distinct Persons. The Father’s love (
1 John 4:9) is showcased in sending the Son; the Spirit testifies to that Son (
John 1:32-34). Each Person’s role is preserved without confusion of essence or subordination in nature.
Typological Foreshadowing
Hebrews 11:17 recalls that Abraham “offered up his one and only son” Isaac, prefiguring Calvary. Isaac was beloved and promised, yet not the firstborn (Ishmael preceded him) nor eternally divine. His description as μονογενής underscores covenant uniqueness, forming a deliberate analogy: just as Abraham did not withhold Isaac, so the Father did not spare His one and only Son (
Romans 8:32). Old Testament patterns converge in Christ, fulfilling redemptive history.
Compassionate Portraits in the Synoptics
Luke’s three narratives present desperate parents pleading for an only child. The widow of Nain mourns her “only son” (
Luke 7:12); Jairus begs for his “only daughter” (
Luke 8:42); a distraught father implores Jesus for his “only son” tormented by a spirit (
Luke 9:38). The pathos of lost hope heightens the impact of Jesus’ restorative power. These vignettes mirror the Father’s heart: the immeasurable cost of giving His unique Son for a lost world.
Evangelistic Urgency
John 3:18 warns, “Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.” The sole sufficiency of Christ removes all alternatives. Salvation hinges not on generic theism but on personal trust in the μονογενής. Gospel proclamation must therefore point unambiguously to Christ alone.
Pastoral Application
Believers wrestling with worth or security find assurance in being adopted through the one and only Son (
Galatians 4:4-7). As the Father’s unique Son cannot be displaced, so those united to Him cannot be snatched away (
John 10:28-30). For grieving parents or lonely individuals, the Lukan accounts display Jesus’ tenderness toward precious “only” children, inviting reliance upon His compassionate authority.
Doctrinal Safeguards
Heresies ancient and modern often redefine Jesus’ nature. μονογενής counters Arianism (claiming the Son is created) and modern pluralistic claims (multiple saviors). The church preserves the confession of one Lord whose singular sonship implies singular atonement (
Hebrews 7:27). Deviations from this center undermine the gospel.
Worship Implications
Recognition of Christ as the Father’s one and only Son fuels adoration. Hymns and prayers celebrating the unique Lamb of God resonate with heavenly worship where the Lamb alone is worthy (
Revelation 5:9). Corporate confession of the μονογενής aligns earthly liturgy with eternal praise.
Summary
Strong’s Greek 3439 accents the unrivaled, beloved status of Jesus Christ and, by analogy, the preciousness of irreplaceable life. It anchors orthodox Christology, intensifies evangelistic call, comforts the afflicted, and summons the church to undivided devotion to the one and only Son.
Discover the meaning of Only Begotten in the Bible. Study the definition of Only Begotten with multiple Bible Dictionaries and Encyclopedias and find scripture references in the Old and New Testaments.
www.biblestudytools.com
ONLY BEGOTTEN
on'-li be-got-'-'n (monogenes):
Although the English words are found only 6 times in the New Testament, the Greek word appears 9 times, and often in the Septuagint. It is used literally of an only child: "the only son of his mother" (
Luke 7:12); "an only daughter" (
Luke 8:42); "mine only child" (
Luke 9:38); "Isaac .... his only begotten" (
Hebrews 11:17). In all other places in the New Testament it refers to Jesus Christ as "the only begotten Son of God" (
John 1:14,18;
3:16,18;
1 John 4:9). In these passages, too, it might be translated as "the only son of God";
for the emphasis seems to be on His uniqueness, rather than on His sonship, though both ideas are certainly present. He is the son of God in a sense in which no others are.
"Monogenes describes the absolutely unique relation of the Son to the Father in His divine nature; prototokos describes the relation of the Risen Christ in His glorified humanity to man"
https://bibleask.org › term-begotten-son-really-mean
Significance of "
Only Begotten" in Christian Theology The term "
only begotten" emphasizes several theological points: Uniqueness and Exclusivity: Jesus is described as the "
only begotten Son" to highlight His unique status and relationship with God, distinguishing Him from all other beings.
Only Begotten :: on-li be-got--n (monogenes): Although the English words are found only 6 times in the New Testament, the Greek word appears 9 times, and
www.blueletterbible.org
Below are articles from the following 2 dictionaries:
International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia
Only Begotten:
on'-li be-got-'-'n (monogenes): Although the English words are found only 6 times in the New Testament, the Greek word appears 9 times, and often in the Septuagint. It is used literally of an only child: "the only son of his mother" (Lu 7:12); "an only daughter" (Lu 8:42); "mine only child" (Lu 9:38); "Isaac.... his only begotten" (Heb 11:17). In all other places in the New Testament it refers to Jesus Christ as "the only begotten Son of God" (Joh 1:14,18; 3:16,18; 1 Joh 4:9). In these passages, too, it might be translated as "the only son of God"; for the emphasis seems to be on His uniqueness, rather than on His sonship, though both ideas are certainly present. He is the son of God in a sense in which no others are. "Monogenes describes the absolutely unique relation of the Son to the Father in His divine nature; prototokos describes the relation of the Risen Christ in His glorified humanity to man" (Westcott on Heb 1:6). Christ's uniqueness as it appears in the above passages consists of two things:
(a) He reveals the Father: "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him" (Joh 1:18). Men therefore behold His glory, "glory as of the only begotten from the Father" (1:14).
(b) He is the mediator of salvation: "God hath sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him" (1 Joh 4:9; Joh 3:16); "He that believeth not (on him) hath been judged already" (Joh 3:18). Other elements in His uniqueness may be gathered from other passages, as His sinlessness, His authority to forgive sins, His unbroken communion with the Father, and His unique knowledge of Him. To say that it is a uniqueness of nature or essence carries thought no farther, for these terms still need definition, and they can be defined only in terms of His moral consciousness, of His revelation of God, and especially of His intimate union as Son with the Father.
The reading "God only begotten" in Joh 1:18 the Revised Version margin, though it has strong textual support, is improbable, and can well be explained as due to orthodox zeal, in opposition to adoptionism. See Grimm-Thayer, Lexicon; Westcott, at the place
See BEGOTTEN
See PERSON OF CHRIST
See SON OF GOD
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
[td width="unset"]
Greek: monogenes
[/td]
Only Begotten:
is used five times, all in the writings of the Apostle John, of Christ as the Son of God; it is translated "only begotten" in Hbr 11:17 of the relationship of Isaac to Abraham.
With reference to Christ, the phrase "the only begotten from the Father," Jhn 1:14, RV (see also the marg.), indicates that as the Son of God He was the sole representative of the Being and character of the One who sent Him. In the original the definite article is omitted both before "only begotten" and before "Father," and its absence in each case serves to lay stress upon the characteristics referred to in the terms used. The Apostle's object is to demonstrate what sort of glory it was that he and his fellow Apostles had seen. That he is not merely making a comparison with earthly relationships is indicated by para, "from." The glory was that of a unique relationship and the word "begotten" does not imply a beginning of His Sonship. It suggests relationship indeed, but must be distinguished from generation as applied to man.
We can only rightly understand the term "the only begotten" when used of the Son, in the sense of unoriginated relationship. "The begetting is not an event of time, however remote, but a fact irrespective of time. The Christ did not become, but necessarily and eternally is the Son. He, a Person, possesses every attribute of pure Godhood. This necessitates eternity, absolute being; in this respect He is not 'after' the Father" (Moule). The expression also suggests the thought of the deepest affection, as in the case of the OT word yachid, variously rendered, "only one," Gen 22:2, 12; "only son," Jer 6:26; Amo 8:10; Zec 12:10; "only beloved," Pro 4:3, and "darling," Psa 22:20; 35:17.
In Jhn 1:18 the clause "The Only Begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father," expresses both His eternal union with the Father in the Godhead and the ineffable intimacy and love between them, the Son sharing all the Father's counsels and enjoying all His affections. Another reading is monogenes Theos, "God only-begotten." In Jhn 3:16 the statement, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son," must not be taken to mean that Christ became the Only Begotten Son by Incarnation. The value and the greatness of the gift lay in the Sonship of Him who was given. His Sonship was not the effect of His being given. In Jhn 3:18 the phrase "the Name of the Only Begotten Son of God" lays stress upon the full revelation of God's character and will, His love and grace, as conveyed in the name of One who, being in a unique relationship to Him, was provided by Him as the object of faith. In 1Jo 4:9 the statement "God hath sent His Only Begotten Son into the world" does not mean that God sent out into the world one who at His birth in Bethlehem had become His Son. Cp. the parallel statement, "God sent forth the Spirit of His Son," Gal 4:6, RV, which could not mean that God sent forth One who became His Spirit when He sent Him.