In Christian Biblical criticism and theology, there have been disputes about the meaning and usage of “monogenes”. Does the word mean “only begotten,” as it is as traditionally rendered, or does it merely mean “only” or “only one”? Does the word mean “only, single, or unique” son, or “special, privileged, favorite, or legitimate” son? Related text-critical issues to John 1:18 (and John 3:16, etc.).
Monogenes has two primary definitions, “pertaining to being the only one of its kind within a specific relationship” and “pertaining to being the only one of its kind or class, unique in kind”. Thus monogenēs (μονογενὴς) may be used both as an adjective monogenēs pais, meaning unique and special. Its Greek meaning is often applied to mean “one of a kind, one and only”. Monogenēs (μονογενὴς) may be used both as an adjective monogenēs pais, only child, or only legitimate child, special child, and also on its own as a noun; o monogenēs “the only one,” or “the only legitimate child”.
It can be applied to an only child, or only legitimate child, special child, and also on its own as a noun; o monogenēs “the only one,” or “the only legitimate child”. The word is used in Hebrews 11:17-19 to describe Isaac, the son of Abraham. However Isaac was not the only-begotten son of Abraham, but was the chosen, having special virtue.
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Author: Wikipedia
Keywords: Monogenes, Only son, God the Son, Only begotten, Only begotten son, Begotten, Begotten son, Eternally begotten, Eternally begotten son, Eternal son
Bible reference(s): John 1:18, 1 John 4:9, Acts 13:33, Genesis 22:2, Hebrews 1:5, Hebrews 11:17, Hebrews 5:5, Jeremiah 6:26, John 1:14, John 1:18, John 3:16, Judges 11:34, Luke 7:12, Luke 8:42, Luke 9:38, Proverbs 4:3, Psalms 2:7
Source: This article uses material from the Wikipedia article “Monogenes,” which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
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