"beloved, dear; worthy of love"
Definition and meaning
beloved, dear; worthy of love
In the original Greek the word is written: ἀγαπητός
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of agapetos (G27) across the King James Bible.
And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.
And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.
It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
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Common questions
Strong's G27 (agapetos) is a Greek word that means: beloved, dear; worthy of love It appears 61 times in the King James Bible.
The word agapetos (G27) appears 61 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G27 is agapetos, a Greek word defined as: beloved, dear; worthy of love. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
agapetos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.