Lexical Summary pténos: Feathered, winged Original Word: πτενός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bird. Contraction for peteinon; a bird -- bird. see GREEK peteinon NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom petomai Definition winged NASB Translation birds (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4421: πτηνόςπτηνός, πτηνη, πτηνον (πέτομαι, πτῆναι), furnished with wings; winged, flying: τά πτηνα, birds (often so in Greek writings from Aeschylus down), 1 Corinthians 15:39. Topical Lexicon Semantic Field and Connotations Πτηνός (ptēnos) designates “winged” or “flying” creatures, embracing the whole avian realm—whether domestic fowl, migratory birds, or birds of prey. In Scripture such creatures serve both literal and symbolic functions, often acting as living testimonies to God’s creative power, providential care, and moral instruction. New Testament Usage (1 Corinthians 15:39) Paul employs the term once, contrasting the “flesh” of humans, land animals, birds, and fish to illustrate the varied splendor of God’s creative order and to prepare his readers for the greater marvel of the resurrection body. The apostle’s argument gains force from everyday observations: just as birds possess a distinct nature suited for the sky, so the resurrected believer will receive a body perfectly adapted for the coming age. Old Testament Foundations 1. Creation: “God created … every winged bird according to its kind” (Genesis 1:21). Birds therefore stand among the first evidences of divine craftsmanship. Symbolic and Theological Motifs • Care and Provision: Jesus points to the birds of the air, “they do not sow or reap … yet your heavenly Father feeds them” (Matthew 6:26). This establishes a baseline of trust for kingdom living. Doctrinal Implications Drawn from 1 Corinthians 15:39 1. Diversity within Unity: Distinct “kinds” reflect deliberate divine design; unity is not uniformity. Practical Ministry Applications • Stewardship: Because birds manifest God’s creative wisdom, ecological care honors their Maker (cf. Deuteronomy 22:6-7). Related Greek and Hebrew Terms • Ὄρνεον (orneon) – bird, often used in Revelation. Conclusion Strong’s Greek 4421 enriches biblical theology by situating birds as markers of God’s creative breadth, pedagogical tools for spiritual truths, and eschatological participants in the final victory of God. Paul’s single New Testament usage calls believers to marvel at the manifold wisdom of God, anticipating the transformation that awaits those in Christ. Forms and Transliterations έπτηξαν έπτηξε πετεινών πτηνων πτηνῶν πτήξητε πτίλλος ptenon ptenôn ptēnōn ptēnō̂nLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |