[B-Greek] thelus -vs- gune

Harold Holmyard hholmyard at ont.com
Thu Aug 31 23:25:08 EDT 2006


Dear Seth,

>Can you tell me the difference between the two greek words for women "thelus" and "gune".
>   
>  It would seem from studying the new testament that thelus is all women generally speaking and gune is more specifically a women that is in submission to someone, wither it be her Husband, parents, God Etc..
>   
>  However, sometimes it does not make sense why "gune" is used over "thelus".
>  Can anyone make head and tails of this for me?
>   
>  Also when should "gune" be translated or mean wife as opposed to just woman? 
>   
>  Are there any rules on this?
>   
>  Thanks for any help.
>  
>

HH: QHLUS occurs only 5 times in the NT and 36 times in the Greek OT. 
GUNH occurs 967 times in the Greek OT and 215 times in the NT. The first 
word seems to have a primary meaning of "female." It is especially 
prevalent in the phrase "male and female." It usage is almost always 
where there is a stress on the gender of the woman. GUNH is the more 
all-purpose word for "woman," though it often means "wife." "Bride" is 
suggested as a possible meaning in a few cases.

Yours,
Harold Holmyard




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