Posted By: Rick H
How do we understand the words 'Only Begotten'? - 04/25/11 05:29 PM
What do we see as the meaning of the words “only begotten”?
Here is a study I came across that is very enlightening, see what you think:
"...What does the word “only begotten” literally mean in the original Greek?
A.“3439 monogenes mon-og-en-ace’
from 3441 and 1096; TDNT-4:737,606; adj
AV-only begotten 6, only 2, only child 1; 9
1) single of its kind, only
1a) used of only sons or daughters (viewed in relation to their parents)
1b) used of Christ, denotes the only begotten son of God” Strong’s Concordance.
The term “only begotten” comes from the Greek “monogenes” from which you have these two words 3441“mono” and 1096“genes.” Most are familiar with the term mono and stereo. Monotone is a single voice pitch. Genes are the structure of DNA. Hence “only begotten” or “only born” is a correct translation.
Q. Does the term “only begotten”(monogenes) refer to anyone besides Christ?
A.“17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:”(Heb 11:17-18 AV)
Note: Isaac was the second son born to Abraham. Ishmael was born 14 years earlier. Isaac was the only offspring of Abraham to whom the promised “seed, which is Christ”(Galatians 3:16) was to one day be born, 42 generations later. Matthew 1:1-17.
Q. When was Isaac “begotten” according to Scripture?
A.“ Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;”(Mt 1:2 AV)
Note: Isaac was begotten when he was conceived in Sarah’s womb and born to Abraham.
Q. When was Jesus “begotten” according to scripture (not private interpretation)?
“ And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.”(Mt 1:16 )
“ And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,”(Luke 3:23 )
“ Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”(Mt 1:18 )
“ And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”(Mt 1:21 )
Note: Mary shall “bring forth a son,” who was “Emmanuel” God with us. Jesus was begotten or conceived in the womb of Mary “by the Holy Ghost.” Jesus was over the age of 30 when He spoke John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Please notice Christ was GIVEN just over 30 years before this statement was spoken when he was conceived (or begotten) in Mary’s virgin womb. I hope my Aryan thinking friends understand that last sentence. John 3:16 is speaking in the PAST TENSE of an event that happened just 30 years before. Let’s notice again the words,“Shall bring forth” as found in verse 21.
“ Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”(Mt 1:23 )
Q. Does the term “begotten” have any other meaning in connection to Christ?
A.“ I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.”(Ps 2:7 )
“ For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?”(Heb 1:5 )
Q. What EXACT DAY in history is this event referring to of which the Father says,“Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?(Heb 1:5 )”
A.“33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. 34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.”(Ac 13:33-34 )
The prophecy of Psalms 2:7 according to the inspired interpretation of Scripture is referring to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. There are only two scriptural events in which Christ was “begotten.” Once in Mary’s virgin womb just as Abraham begat Isaac and Isaac begat Jacob and so on. The second time He was “begotten” was from the tomb.
Through Mary’s sinful flesh Christ took on him the nature of Abraham and His offspring, and was thus the “son of man.” He was not the child of Joseph. He was the Son of God. The Holy Spirit immaculately conceived Christ in Mary’s virgin womb, yet He was King of all Heaven. Thus by the Holy Ghost in the virgin Mary’s womb Jesus was born (begotten) as the Son of God. Through Mary’s sinful flesh Jesus was born the son of man. Through the Holy Ghost He was the Son of God...."
Here is a study I came across that is very enlightening, see what you think:
"...What does the word “only begotten” literally mean in the original Greek?
A.“3439 monogenes mon-og-en-ace’
from 3441 and 1096; TDNT-4:737,606; adj
AV-only begotten 6, only 2, only child 1; 9
1) single of its kind, only
1a) used of only sons or daughters (viewed in relation to their parents)
1b) used of Christ, denotes the only begotten son of God” Strong’s Concordance.
The term “only begotten” comes from the Greek “monogenes” from which you have these two words 3441“mono” and 1096“genes.” Most are familiar with the term mono and stereo. Monotone is a single voice pitch. Genes are the structure of DNA. Hence “only begotten” or “only born” is a correct translation.
Q. Does the term “only begotten”(monogenes) refer to anyone besides Christ?
A.“17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:”(Heb 11:17-18 AV)
Note: Isaac was the second son born to Abraham. Ishmael was born 14 years earlier. Isaac was the only offspring of Abraham to whom the promised “seed, which is Christ”(Galatians 3:16) was to one day be born, 42 generations later. Matthew 1:1-17.
Q. When was Isaac “begotten” according to Scripture?
A.“ Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;”(Mt 1:2 AV)
Note: Isaac was begotten when he was conceived in Sarah’s womb and born to Abraham.
Q. When was Jesus “begotten” according to scripture (not private interpretation)?
“ And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.”(Mt 1:16 )
“ And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,”(Luke 3:23 )
“ Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”(Mt 1:18 )
“ And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”(Mt 1:21 )
Note: Mary shall “bring forth a son,” who was “Emmanuel” God with us. Jesus was begotten or conceived in the womb of Mary “by the Holy Ghost.” Jesus was over the age of 30 when He spoke John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Please notice Christ was GIVEN just over 30 years before this statement was spoken when he was conceived (or begotten) in Mary’s virgin womb. I hope my Aryan thinking friends understand that last sentence. John 3:16 is speaking in the PAST TENSE of an event that happened just 30 years before. Let’s notice again the words,“Shall bring forth” as found in verse 21.
“ Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”(Mt 1:23 )
Q. Does the term “begotten” have any other meaning in connection to Christ?
A.“ I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.”(Ps 2:7 )
“ For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?”(Heb 1:5 )
Q. What EXACT DAY in history is this event referring to of which the Father says,“Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?(Heb 1:5 )”
A.“33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. 34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.”(Ac 13:33-34 )
The prophecy of Psalms 2:7 according to the inspired interpretation of Scripture is referring to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. There are only two scriptural events in which Christ was “begotten.” Once in Mary’s virgin womb just as Abraham begat Isaac and Isaac begat Jacob and so on. The second time He was “begotten” was from the tomb.
Through Mary’s sinful flesh Christ took on him the nature of Abraham and His offspring, and was thus the “son of man.” He was not the child of Joseph. He was the Son of God. The Holy Spirit immaculately conceived Christ in Mary’s virgin womb, yet He was King of all Heaven. Thus by the Holy Ghost in the virgin Mary’s womb Jesus was born (begotten) as the Son of God. Through Mary’s sinful flesh Jesus was born the son of man. Through the Holy Ghost He was the Son of God...."