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Greek · G2537 · unreviewed

καινός

New (especially in freshness; while is properly so with respect to age

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καινός G2537
Pronunciation kainós

What does καινός (kainós) mean in the Bible?

καινός (kainós) is a Greek word meaning "new (especially in freshness; while is properly so with respect to age". καινός, -ή, -όν [in LXX (Eze. Describes the new covenant reality inaugurated by Christ. This term runs through the canonical themes of Covenant, Messiah, Revelation.

Full entry for καινός (G2537) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

new (especially in freshness; while is properly so with respect to age
Extended definition

New in quality and freshness rather than merely recent in time; emphasizes novelty of form or character

of that which is unused or unaccustomed, new in respect to form or quality, fresh, unused, novel: opposite to παλαιός, ἀρχαῖος, Mat.9:17 13:52, Mrk.2:21-22 Luk.5:36, 38, 2Co.5:17, Eph.4:24; πλήρωμα, Mrk.2:21; μνημεῖον, Mat.27:60, Jhn.19:41; διαθήκη (T, WH, R, txt., omit), Luk.22:20, 1Co.11:25, 2Co.3:6, Heb.8:8" (LXX), Heb.8:13 9:15; οὐρανοί, γῆ, 2Pe.3:13, Rev.21:1" (LXX) Ἰερουσαλήμ, Rev.3:12 21:2; ἄνθρωπος, Eph.2:15 (cf. Eze.18:31); πάντα, Rev.21:5; γέννημα τ. ἀμπέλου, Mat.26:29, Mrk.14:25; διδαχή, Mrk.1:27, Act.17:19; ἐντολή, Jhn.13:34, 1Jn.2:7-8, 2Jn.5; ὄνομα, Rev.2:17 (LXX); ᾠδή, Rev.5:9 14:3 (of. Psa.144:9); κτίσις, 2Co.5:17, Gal.6:15; γλῶσσαι, Mrk.16:17; compar., Act.17:21.

Synonymsνέος, "the new primarily in reference to time, the young, recent; κ. . the new primarily in reference to quality, the fresh, unworn". Cf. Tr., Syn., § lx (the distinction, however, is less marked in late Gk.; cf. Heb.12:24 with He, ll. with supr., and see MM, Exp., xv)
Source: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith
Why This Word Matters
Describes the new covenant reality inaugurated by Christ. 1 John 2:7-11
Indicates covenantal transformation, not minor revision. Hebrews 8:7-13
The command is ancient in revelation but newly embodied in Christ and empowered by the light He brings. Luke 5:33–39
Grammatical Forms

How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.

Nominative · Singular · Feminine Mark 1:27 · Luke 22:20 · Acts 17:19 · 1 Cor 11:25 · 2 Cor 5:17 · Gal 6:15 6×
Nominative · Singular · Neuter Mark 2:21 · John 19:41 2×
Nominative · Plural · Neuter 2 Cor 5:17 1×
Genitive · Singular · Feminine 2 Cor 3:6 · Heb 9:15 · Rev 3:12 3×
Genitive · Singular · Neuter Luke 5:36 2×
Dative · Singular · Neuter Matt 27:60 1×
Dative · Plural · Feminine Mark 16:17 1×
Accusative · Singular · Feminine John 13:34 · Heb 8:8 · Heb 8:13 · 2 Pet 3:13 · 1 John 2:7 · 1 John 2:8 · 2 John 1:5 · Rev 5:9 · Rev 14:3 · Rev 21:1 · Rev 21:2 11×
Accusative · Singular · Neuter Matt 26:29 · Mark 14:25 · Luke 5:36 · Rev 2:17 · Rev 3:12 5×
Accusative · Plural · Masculine Matt 9:17 · Mark 2:22 · Luke 5:38 · 2 Pet 3:13 4×
42 total occurrences across all forms in the biblical text Morphology: MorphGNT SBLGNT — CC BY-SA 3.0
Canonical Themes
Covenant MessiahRevelation
Biblical Occurrences

Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.

New Testament Witnesses
1 John 2:7-11 new kainós Accusative · Singular · Feminine
New in quality or realization, not necessarily in time of origin.
Hebrews 8:7-13 καινός kainós Accusative · Singular · Feminine
new in quality
Luke 5:33–39 καινός kainós Genitive · Singular · Neuter
new (qualitatively new)
Additional Occurrences
Luke 5:33–39 καινός kainós
New in kind
Mark 2:18–22 καινός kainós
new in kind, fresh
Appears In

Compound and idiomatic lexemes in which this word is a constituent. Follow a link to study the phrase and its other participating words.

διαθήκη · καινός G1242, G2537
new covenant; promised covenantal arrangement
ἐντολή · καινός G1785, G2537
new commandment
καινός · διαθήκη G2537, G1242
new covenant
καινός · κτίσις G2537, G2937
new creation
καινός · μνημεῖον G2537, G3419
new tomb
καινός · νέος G2537, G3501
new in kind / new in time or freshness
καινός · οὐρανός · γῆ G2537, G3772, G1093
renewed heavens and earth
καινός · παλαιός G2537, G3820
new and old
καινός · ἄνθρωπος G2537, G444
New human identity, new self.
νέος · καινός G3501, G2537
new in time / new in kind
Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

Ephesians 4 — Walking Worthy: Unity, Maturity, and the New Life in Christ Galatians 6 — Boasting Only in the Cross: Spirit-Shaped Community and New Creation John 13 — The Servant-Lord, the Washed Disciples, and the New Command of Love John 19 — The Crucified King: Behold the Man, Behold Your King, It Is Finished, and the Pierced Son Luke 22 — The Passover Betrayal, the New Covenant Meal, and the Suffering Servant King Luke 5 — The Authority of Jesus to Call, Cleanse, Forgive, and Make New Mark 2 — The Son of Man Has Authority: Forgiveness, Fellowship, and Lordship Matthew 13 — The Kingdom in Parables: Hearing, Hiddenness, Growth, Worth, and Judgment Matthew 27 — Jesus Condemned, Crucified, Dead, Buried, and Guarded Matthew 9 — Authority to Forgive, Mercy for Sinners, and Compassion for the Harvest

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources

MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain

Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0

Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0

STEPBible Data — CC BY 4.0

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