ἔγκυος

Pronunciation Guide: eng-koo’-os (the ‘g’ is soft as in ‘sing’)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1471: The Greek word ἔγκυος (egkyos) specifically describes a woman who is pregnant or with child. It refers to the physical state of carrying a developing baby in the womb. This term appears only once in the New Testament, describing Mary’s condition as she traveled to Bethlehem with Joseph for the census, highlighting the miraculous nature of her pregnancy with the Messiah.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Adjective
• Root Words: Compound of ἐν (en, “in”) + κύω (kyō, “to swell, be pregnant”)
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Narrative sections (appears in Luke’s Gospel)
• Semantic Field: Human reproduction, family, divine intervention

ἔγκυος Morphology:

• ἔγκυος (nominative singular feminine) – pregnant woman
• ἐγκύου (genitive singular feminine) – of a pregnant woman
• ἐγκύῳ (dative singular feminine) – to/for a pregnant woman
• ἔγκυον (accusative singular feminine) – pregnant woman (as direct object)

Origin & History

The term ἔγκυος has ancient roots in classical Greek literature, where it was used primarily in medical contexts by writers such as Hippocrates in his medical treatises when discussing pregnancy and childbirth. The word combines the preposition ἐν (en), meaning “in,” with the verb κύω (kyō), meaning “to swell” or “to be pregnant,” creating a vivid picture of carrying something within.

In the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, ἔγκυος appears in various passages related to pregnancy, particularly in contexts highlighting divine intervention or promise, such as in Genesis 16:4-5 regarding Hagar’s pregnancy and in Exodus 21:22 concerning laws protecting pregnant women. The word maintains its straightforward denotation of pregnancy while often appearing in narratives where pregnancy has theological significance. Early church fathers like John Chrysostom in his homilies on the Gospel of Luke used this term when discussing the miraculous nature of Mary’s pregnancy, emphasizing both its physical reality and divine origin.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A woman carrying a child in her womb
• The physical state of pregnancy
• Being with child through divine intervention
• The condition of having conceived

ἔγκυος Translation Options:

• Pregnant – Most direct equivalent in English, clearly communicating the physical state
• With child – More literary translation that carries dignified connotations appropriate for biblical contexts
• Expecting – Modern equivalent that implies anticipation of birth
• Great with child – Traditional King James rendering that emphasizes the advanced state of pregnancy, particularly appropriate for Luke 2:5

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἔγκυος appears exclusively in Luke 2:5, where Luke describes Mary traveling to Bethlehem with Joseph while being “with child.” This single usage is particularly significant as it occurs in the narrative of the Messiah’s birth, emphasizing the physical reality of the incarnation. The term underscores that Mary was truly carrying a child in her womb—the Word becoming flesh—while simultaneously pointing to the miraculous nature of her conception through the Holy Spirit.

In the Septuagint, the word appears in several contexts related to divine promise and intervention, particularly in the patriarchal narratives where pregnancy often signifies God’s covenant faithfulness. These occurrences create an important theological backdrop for understanding the significance of Mary’s pregnancy in Luke’s Gospel.

• “And Joseph also went up from Galilee… to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was pregnant [ἔγκυος].” Luke 2:5
• “When she [Hagar] saw that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress [Sarai]. And Sarai said to Abram, ‘May the wrong done to me be on you! I gave my servant to your embrace, and when she saw that she was pregnant [ἔγκυος], she looked on me with contempt.’” Genesis 16:4-5 (LXX)
• “When men strive together and hit a pregnant [ἔγκυος] woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined.” Exodus 21:22 (LXX)
• “Behold, the young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 (where the Hebrew הָרָה [harah] is translated as ἐν γαστρὶ ἕξει [“will have in the womb”] in the LXX, a related concept to ἔγκυος)

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish culture, pregnancy was viewed as a profound blessing from God and a sign of divine favor. The Hebrew concept of בָּרוּךְ פְּרִי־בִטְנְךָ (baruch p’ri vitnecha, “blessed shall be the fruit of your womb”) from Deuteronomy 28:4 reflects the cultural understanding that fertility was directly connected to covenant blessing. This perspective makes Mary’s pregnancy all the more significant as it represents not only personal blessing but the fulfillment of messianic prophecy.

The journey of Mary while pregnant to Bethlehem would have been particularly challenging in ancient times. Traveling approximately 90 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem would typically take 4-7 days on foot or by donkey, and for a woman in the late stages of pregnancy, this journey would have been extraordinarily difficult. Luke’s subtle mention of Mary’s pregnancy using ἔγκυος emphasizes both her physical vulnerability and extraordinary faith. The fact that she undertook such a journey while pregnant underscores the historical reality of the incarnation while highlighting the sacrificial nature of her obedience to God’s plan.

Theological Significance

The single New Testament use of ἔγκυος in reference to Mary’s pregnancy carries profound theological weight, serving as a testament to the doctrine of incarnation—Yahweh becoming flesh and dwelling among us. This pregnancy represents the ultimate divine intervention in human history: the eternal Word, through whom all things were created, entering His own creation through human birth. Mary’s physical pregnancy affirms that Yeshua (Jesus) was fully human, experiencing complete human development from conception through birth, while simultaneously being fully divine.

The use of ἔγκυος in Luke’s precise account reinforces that the incarnation was not merely symbolic or spiritual but physically real. The Messiah did not appear suddenly as an adult or descend from heaven in completed form, but rather entered human experience through the same developmental process as all humans. This reality is central to the Messiah’s role as the perfect mediator between God and humanity—He had to be truly one of us to represent us, yet without sin. Mary’s pregnancy thus becomes a pivotal theological concept, the meeting point of divinity and humanity, where the infinite condescends to enter the finite through the natural process of human gestation.

Personal Application

Understanding the significance of ἔγκυος invites us to marvel at how Yahweh works through ordinary human processes to accomplish extraordinary purposes. Just as Mary physically carried the Messiah within her womb before presenting Him to the world, we too are called to nurture God’s Word within us before manifesting it in our lives and communities. Her pregnancy reminds us that God’s greatest works often develop in hidden, quiet seasons before their full revelation.

When facing difficult journeys in our own lives—those seasons where God’s calling seems particularly challenging—we can draw strength from Mary’s example. Despite her physical vulnerability as an ἔγκυος woman, she persevered in faith, trusting God’s larger purpose even when circumstances were difficult. This encourages us to remain faithful in our own journeys, believing that what God has conceived in our lives will come to full term in His perfect timing, no matter how arduous the path may seem.

Related Words

• γαστήρ (gastēr, “belly, womb”) – Refers more broadly to the stomach or womb, often used when describing pregnancy with emphasis on the physical location where the child develops. Unlike ἔγκυος, which is specifically an adjective describing the pregnant state, γαστήρ is a noun referring to the organ itself. See G1064
• κοιλία (koilia, “cavity, womb”) – Denotes the abdomen, particularly the womb, and is used in passages referring to life in the womb such as John the Baptist leaping in Elizabeth’s womb. While ἔγκυος describes the state of pregnancy, κοιλία refers to the physical space where development occurs. See G2836
• συλλαμβάνω (syllambanō, “to conceive”) – The verb describing the act of conception that leads to the state of being ἔγκυος. This term is used to describe Elizabeth’s conception and notably Mary’s miraculous conception. See G4815
• τίκτω (tiktō, “to give birth”) – The culmination of being ἔγκυος, describing the act of childbirth. This word appears frequently in nativity narratives and prophecies concerning the Messiah’s birth. See G5088
• ὠδίν (ōdin, “birth pang”) – Refers specifically to the labor pains experienced during childbirth, often used metaphorically for suffering that produces new life or transformation. This represents the culmination of the ἔγκυος state. See G5604

Did you Know?

• Did you know that Luke, the only Gospel writer to use ἔγκυος, was traditionally believed to be a physician? His precise medical terminology throughout his Gospel and Acts demonstrates his careful attention to physical details, including his specific description of Mary as ἔγκυος rather than using more general terms. This precision underscores Luke’s intent to document the physical reality of the incarnation for his Greek audience who might otherwise have been influenced by philosophical traditions that devalued physical existence.
• Did you know that in ancient Jewish culture, a pregnant woman was granted certain exemptions from religious obligations? For instance, pregnant women were not required to make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem for festivals if the journey would be too difficult. This makes Mary’s journey to Bethlehem while pregnant all the more remarkable, highlighting her extraordinary commitment to fulfilling both civil obligations and divine purposes, even at great personal discomfort.
• Did you know that modern Greek still uses the term ἔγκυος to mean “pregnant”? While many biblical Greek terms have fallen out of common usage, this word has maintained its meaning relatively unchanged for over two millennia. This linguistic continuity helps us appreciate the straightforward, non-metaphorical nature of Luke’s description of Mary, emphasizing the historical reality of the incarnation against any tendencies to spiritualize or mythologize the nativity narrative.

Remember This

ἔγκυος reminds us that our God works His most profound miracles not through bypassing human experience but by sanctifying it—entering fully into our reality to transform it from within.